Spontaneous Intracranial Haemorrhage as Part of the Initial Manifestation of Childhood Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Unusual Clinical Presentation

Abstract

Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic autoimmune disorder with a variety of clinical manifestations. Most children and adolescents experience the gradual onset of prolonged fever, weight loss, fatigue, and arthralgia over weeks or months. Nonetheless, isolated haematological abnormalities are unusual as an initial clinical manifestation. We report a case of spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage due to severe thrombocytopenia as part of the initial manifestation of SLE in childhood. A high index of suspicion is necessary to diagnose systemic lupus erythematosus in children who present with unexplained spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage and isolated thrombocytopenia as an initial presentation.