Systemic lupus erythematosus glomerulonephritis in children.

This paper reviews the four types of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) glomerulonephritis in children and presents the clinical and renal histologic findings. A therapeutic program based upon the hypothesis that the nephritis of SLE is the result of the glomerular deposition of pathogenic dsDNA-anti-ds/DNA immune complexes is outlined. The effectiveness of therapy in suppressing disease activity is best estimated by serial determinations of serum complement components, particularly C3, and secondarily by monitoring serum levels of antibody to native DNA.