SYSTEMIC-SCLEROSIS IN CHILDREN - A CASE-R EPORT

Scleroderma is rare in pediatric patients. A 13-year-old girl was admi tted for a two-month history of generalized scleroderma with pain in b oth knees. Subclinical esophageal dysfunction and bone lesions were fo und. Rheumatoid factors were negative by the latex and Waaler-Rose tes ts. Immunoglobulin assays by weight were normal. Tests for antinuclear antibodies, anti-centromere antibodies and antimitochondria antibodie s were negative. A slight clinical improvement was apparent after two months's treatment with prednisone 1 mg/kg/d.