Anemia in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Anemia is a common finding in children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Anemia in SLE may result from several mechanisms and more than one may be operative at any time. Anemia of chronic disease is the most common, but a low hemoglobin can be caused by auto-antibodies to red cells as part of the auto-immunity, or it may be the result of impaired erythropoietin production by kidneys involved in the SLE, gastrointestinal blood loss from anti-inflammatory therapy, increased red cell destruction from hypersplenism or a drug-induced immune phenomenon. We briefly review the important processes that can lead to a low hemoglobin in children with SLE, their clinical features and their treatment.