The clinical features of 35 children with systemic lupus erythematosus seen at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center between 1930 and 1961 have been summarized. Seven of the more recent 25 patients gave a history of seizures and treatment with anticonvulsant medicaments prior to the onset of lupus and are believed to represent cases of drug-induced disease. The mechanism whereby drugs induce this disorder in susceptible patients receiving anticonvulsant medicaments remains unknown. While there is little question that steroids have improved the prognosis in systemic lupus erythematosus, further controlled study of varying therapeutic regimens is needed.