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WHAT IS PEDIATRIC LUPUS?

SLE is called Pediatric Lupus when it develops in people under the age of 18. Pediatric Lupus makes up about 15% to 20% of cases. It's estimated to affect 1.89 to 34.1 children per 100,000. 

Pediatric Lupus symptoms

The symptoms of  Lupus in children and teens are similar to those that adults experience. Here are some of the most common symptoms that those living with Lupus experience. 

  • Malar Rash - a rash shaped like a butterfly that is usually found on the bridge of the nose and the cheeks.

  • Fever

  • Joint stiffness, pain and swelling

  • Sunlight sensitivity

  • Hair loss

  • Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure

  • Raynaud's phenomenon — a condition in which the blood vessels of the fingers and toes go into spasm when triggered by factors such as cold, stress, or illness

  • Nerve or brain dysfunction

  • Headaches, confusion and memory loss

  • Low energy

Lupus Facts

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as SLE, or simply lupus, is a disease characterized by inflammation of — and damage to — the organs, skin and joints. The kidneys, heart, lungs and brain are the organs most commonly affected.

  • The disease is known to have periods of flare-ups and remissions (partial or complete lack of symptoms).

  • Many children with lupus also have kidney problems. The severity of the kidney problems can worsen the survival rate of patients with lupus. In some cases, a child’s kidney damage is so severe that it leads to kidney failure.

  • The majority of people who have lupus are young women between their late teens and 45 years of age. This may be due to the fact that estrogen (a female hormone) seems to be associated with lupus. Lupus affects more African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latinos and American-Indians than Caucasian-Americans.

  • Did you know there are different kinds of Lupus? 

    • SLE - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - Most Common - SLE affect many organs, especially skin, joints and kidneys. ​

    • Lupus of the Skin - There are Three types

      • Acute Cutaneous Lupus,

      • Chronic Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus or Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE)

      • Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus

    • Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus 

    • Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus 

- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

- Mayo Clinic

- Johns Hopkins Medicine

Lupus affects everyone different!  You have your good days and your bad days.  Thank you to everyone that stands by Fayth and helps her through all the ups and downs life has shown her!
  #WEAREFAYTHSTRONG

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