Lupus in children

Lupus is rare in children. In fact, according to a 2013 studyTrusted Source, it’s estimated that lupus occur
in only 3.3 to 8.8 out of 100,000 children.

Similar to lupus in adults, most children who get lupus are female. The common lupus symptoms in
children are also similar to those in adults and can include:

 fatigue

 fever

 butterfly rash

 weight loss

 joint pain

 loss of appetite

 hair loss

 swollen lymph nodes

Many children who have lupus also have kidney-involved symptoms. It’s estimated that over 90
percentTrusted Source of these children will go on to have some form of kidney disease after their
diagnosis.

Since it’s rare and some symptoms may be similar to other childhood conditions, lupus can be difficult to
diagnose in children. Like lupus in men, lupus in children is often more active when it’s diagnosed.
Because of this, initial treatment may be more aggressive.