Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as pancarditis

• Main Authors: D. O’Leary, C. O’Connor, L. Nertney, E. J. MacDermott, D. Mullane, O. Franklin, O. G. Killeen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2019-11-01
• Series: Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal
• Subjects: Juvenile; SLE; Pancarditis
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12969-019-0372-z

Abstract Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with marked variation in its clinical presentation. Juvenile SLE (jSLE) accounts for 15–20% of all cases and is diagnosed when SLE manifests before 18 years of age. Pancarditis is a rare complication of SLE, regardless of age of disease onset. Case presentation We report a case of jSLE in a 15 year old Caucasian female presenting with an acute episode of pancarditis and multiorgan dysfunction who was successfully treated with systemic corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. Conclusion Pancarditis can be a presenting feature of jSLE which was previously unreported. A high index of suspicion for severe cardiac involvement is required at all stages of disease.