Objective To investigate the relationship between NP involvement and clinical factors and the potential predictors for NPSLE in children. Methods Sixty-two Chinese children with SLE diagnosed between 1990 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical characteristics and potential predictors for NPSLE were analyzed in patients with NP vs those without NP, early-onset NP vs late-onset NP, SLE-onset vs NP-onset in late-onset NP group. Results Ratio of lupus nephritis(LN) at SLE onset was less common in patients with NP disorders than those without NP; the mean age for the early-onset group was significantly younger and the SLEDAI score was higher than those of late-onset group. There was no difference in all the clinical and serological factors for SLE-onset vs NP-onset in the late-onset NPSLE group. Conclusion NP development is negatively associated with renal involvement at SLE diagnosis. Early-onset NPSLE usually happens in young patients with high disease activity scores. There are no clinical factors that can predict the development of NPSLE.

Objective To define the clinical characteristics of NPSLE in Chinese children by analyzing their demographic data,clinical manifestations,laboratory parameters and treatment.Methods Sixtytwo children with SLE who were diagnosed between 1990 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed.The demographic data,clinical manifestations,laboratory parameters,imaging and treatment were analyzed.The syndromes were compared with those reported in other studies.Results Nineteen (31%) SLE patients with 21 NP events were identified.The most common NP manifestations were cognitive dysfunction (48%),seizure disorder (43%) and headache (29%).The abnormality percentage of SPECT was 80%.86% patients received MP pulses therapy.Most (74%) patients recovered without long-term neurological complications.Conclusi NP symptoms are common in Chinese children with SLE,however,the prese-ntations are different from that reported in other studies.SPECT and MR are sensitive tests for NPSLE.The prognosis of NPSLE in our series is favorable.