Circulating prolactin level in Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and its correlation with disease activity: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: The linkage between prolactin (PRL) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still vague. Determination of serum levels of prolactin to reveal its role in patients with SLE is the aim of the study. METHODS: This is a case-control study performed on 40 children with SLE and 40 age- and sex-matched controls. Cases were further subdivided according to disease activity into mild, moderate, and severe groups using the SLEDAI (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index) score. Serum prolactin levels were assayed by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). RESULTS: prolactin level was significantly higher in SLE patients (17.3 ± 6.6 µg/L) than in controls (13.5 ± 5.3 µg/L) (P value = 0.005). Although the prolactin level was highest in severe cases (19.3 ± 7.7 µg/L), followed by moderate cases (17.0 ± 5.3 µg/L), and lowest in mild cases (14.0 ± 6.2 µg/L), the variance between the 3 groups was not statistically significant (P value = 0.212). A significant positive correlation between prolactin level and SLEDAI score was detected (r = 0.368) (P value = 0.019). Hyperprolactinemia was found in 8 patients (20%) but not in controls; 4 out of 8 patients with hyperprolactinemia (50%) showed neurological manifestations compared to only 3 out of 32 patients with a normal prolactin level (9.4%) (P value = 0.007). CONCLUSION: A relationship between serum prolactin levels and juvenile SLE disease was detected. Neurological manifestations were more prevalent among SLE patients with hyperprolactinemia.

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in the Pediatric Age Group: The Egyptian Experience.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a common disease entity among adults; however, it is rare among the pediatric age group. Evidence is scarce regarding pediatric AIHA in the literature. The objective of this study is to assess the frequency of AIHA and describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics and treatment outcomes of a cohort of children with AIHA in Egypt. A retrospective study was conducted on 50 children with AIHA who were registered and followed up at the New Children's Hospital in Cairo, Egypt, between January 2010 and January 2021. The study group comprised 60% females and 40% males. Their median age was 8.25 years. All patients showed low hemoglobin levels with a mean of 5.40 ± 1.34 g/dl and a median reticulocyte count of 10 (IQR: 8-15). Twelve (24%) patients were diagnosed with Evans syndrome, and a positive Coombs test was detected in 46 patients (92%). The frequency of primary AIHA was 40%, whereas it was 60% for secondary AIHA. The first line of therapy for acute attacks was high-dose IV steroids which responded well in 38 (76%) patients. Secondary AIHA was more common among our children (60%). AIHA is more prevalent in females (60%). The clinical and laboratory characteristics matched previous reports.