17 Years Old Patient with Nephritic Syndrome Induced by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The case study describes the admission of a 17 years old patient in the emergency department of Constanta with main complaints: diffuse abdominal pain, polyarthralgia and intense headache. The first screening tests revealed anaemia, renal impairment associated with nephritic syndrome. In the immunological investigations, the level of antibodies anti-ds DNA was increased and the following renal biopsy presented segmental changes of the glomerular membranes. The clinical features associated with the laboratory results were specific for the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus. The patient was continuously under follow-up and was given mainly antihypertensive drugs and corticosteroids, followed by i.v. cyclophosphamide. She also received treatment for correction of anaemia and analgesia. In conclusion, this patient with a newly diagnosed autoimmune disorder was presented with deteriorating renal function associated with hypertension, conditions which appear very rarely in patients of such a young age.