Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic connective tissue disease caused by autoimmune, immunological disorders which can effect many organs and systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the complaints, clinical and laboratory findings of patients with SLE.

Material and Methods: This study was performed between January 2001 and January 2014 by the Department of Child Nephrology-Rheumatology with the diagnosis of SLE. In this study, clinical and laboratory findings, treatment, organ involvement of the patients, who were followed up with the diagnosis of SLE, were recorded.

Results: Thirteen patients (10 girls, 3 boys) who received 4 or more of 11 SLE criteria renewed in 1997 by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) or who had consistent findings with lupus nephritis by kidney biopsy were included in the study. There were 10 female (76.9%), 3 male (23.1%). Female / male ratio was 3.3 and mean age of 12.8 ± 2.79 (6-17 years). The mean follow-up period was 8.1 ± 2.34 years (4-13 years).At the time of admission, 6 of the patients had rash (46.1%), 4 had edema in the legs (30.7%), 2 had swelling and pain in the joints (15.3%), 1 had chest and joint pain (7.6%) and 1 had pallor complaint (7.6%).In follow-up, 2 patients had skin, 3 had hematological, 5 had joint, 1 had serositis / pericardial and 1 patient had neurological disease involvement. The rate of renal involvement was 84.6%. Three patients had high creatinine levels at admission and 5 patients had nephrotic proteinuria. No correlation was found between proteinuria and creatinine at presentation and histopathological examination.

Conclusion: In this study, SLE, which started in childhood, had more than one system and organ kept at the time of diagnosis. It should be kept in mind that SLE may present with different clinical and laboratory findings in childhood, as morbidity and mortality can be reduced by appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: Childhood, Nephritis