Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACK GROUND:
Lupus nephritis is a common and serious feature of a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by multisystem inflammation (systemic lupus erythematosus).
OBJECTIVE:
Study he demographic, renal manifestations, laboratory findings and histopathological findings of patients with lupus nephritis.
PATIENTS AND METHOD:
This study was descriptive cross sectional study, conducted on 71 patients with lupus nephritis who were diagnosed and treated in four major pediatrics nephrology units in Baghdad, Children Welfare Teaching hospital, Central Teaching hospital, Al-karama Teaching Hospital and Ibn Albalady hospital. The collected data included: gender, age at diagnosis, renal and extra renal manifestations, laboratory findings, renal biopsy findings.
RESULTS:
Seventy one patients enrolled in this study with a mean age of 11.9 ± 2.7 years, the mean age at diagnosis was 9.6 ± 2.3years. Female to male ratio was 4:1.Nephrotic syndrome was the most common renal manifestation, it was found in 51 (71.8%), and reduced renal function was found in only in 17patients (23.9%). Antinuclear antibody was positive in majority of patients 66 (92.9%), followed by low C3, C4 in 58 (81.6%), positive Anti double stranded DNA in 58 (81.6%).Renal biopsy was done for 58(81.6%) patients and class II lupus nephritis was the most common histopathological class which was found in 25 patients (35.2%), the least common was Class V which was found in only 4 patient (5.6%).On the other hand, none of the patients had class VI.
CONCLUSION:
Nephrotic syndrome is the most common renal manifestation in lupus nephritis in children; class II lupus nephritis was the most common histopathological class and Positive ANA was found in majority of patients. early referral of the diagnosed patients to the nephrologist is important to ensure better management of those patients.