DIKUL - logo
E-viri
Recenzirano Odprti dostop
  • Clinical features and outco...
    Akikusa, J. D.; Schneider, R.; Harvey, E. A.; Hebert, D.; Thorner, P. S.; Laxer, R. M.; Silverman, E. D.

    Arthritis and rheumatism, 15 June 2007, Letnik: 57, Številka: 5
    Journal Article

    Objective Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a predominantly small‐vessel vasculitis associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs). There are few reports describing its clinical features and outcome in children. We report on the experience at a single tertiary referral center over 21 years. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients diagnosed with WG at The Hospital for Sick Children between 1984 and 2005. Results Twenty‐five patients were identified. Median age at diagnosis and median followup were 14.5 years and 32.7 months, respectively. Male‐to‐female ratio was 1:4. Median duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 2 months. Of 22 patients, 21 were ANCA positive during their disease course (classic ANCA 78.9%). Constitutional symptoms were the most common clinical feature at presentation (24 of 25). Glomerulonephritis was present in 22 patients at presentation. Only 1 of 11 patients who presented with or developed renal impairment had normalization of serum creatinine. Upper airway involvement occurred in 21 patients at presentation and 24 over followup; only 1 had subglottic stenosis. Twenty patients had initial pulmonary involvement, most commonly nodules (44%) and pulmonary hemorrhage (44%). Five patients required ventilation for pulmonary hemorrhage. Four patients (16%) had venous thrombotic events (VTEs). Treatment included prednisone (100%), cyclophosphamide (76%), azathioprine (40%), and methotrexate (32%). Conclusion Pediatric WG typically presents in adolescence and has a female predominance. Glomerulonephritis and pulmonary disease are common at diagnosis and frequently present as a pulmonary‐renal syndrome. Loss of renal function is common and rarely completely reversible. As in adults, children with WG are at risk of VTEs.