Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (LE) is described in a 7-year-old girl whose onset of disease could be traced to age of 10 weeks. Diagnostic clinical features, implications of cutaneous manifestations, and laboratory procedures for demonstrating the LE cell are discussed. Importance of considering systemic LE as a chronic, relapsing disease of many years duration is emphasized. The significance of chronic biological false positive reactors is considered.