Venous thrombosis as a first sign of SLE]

Venous thrombosis in children is rare. In adolescents it may be the first manifestation of a chronic disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).An obese 12-year-old girl visited the Obesity Clinic and mentioned pain in her right calf. Some time before her arrival she spent time in bed with a respiratory infection. Deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed by ultrasonography. Radiography showed an infiltrate, laboratory tests showed elevated inflammatory parameters, and thrombophilia testing showed a Factor V Leiden mutation as well as the presence of lupus anticoagulants. During her stay she developed haematological, immunological and clinical signs of SLE.The cause of venous thrombosis in children is usually multifactorial. Despite the presence of obvious risk factors, it is important to follow adolescents with thrombosis and to be alert for any signs of an underlying systemic disease.