How is lupus diagnosed in children?

Lupus is an illness where the body gets confused and attacks itself. This can make different parts of a child's body hurt and become swollen. It doesn't happen to many children, but it's important to see a doctor if it does.

Common signs are feeling very tired, pain in the joints, skin rashes, fever, and problems with the kidneys. Symptoms can be different for each child.

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Doctors check for lupus in kids by doing different things. First, they will ask about the child's health history and how they feel. They will also look at the child's body to see if there are any signs of lupus. The doctors will do some tests. These tests can be on the blood or pee (urine). Sometimes, doctors need to take a tiny piece of skin or tissue to look at it more closely. This is called a biopsy.

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Blood tests can help doctors learn about your body's defense system. These tests have long names:

• ANA test
• Anti-dsDNA test
• Anti-Smith antibodies test
• Complete blood count (CBC)

These tests show how well your body fights germs and keeps you healthy.

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The ANA test looks for special markers in your blood. These markers, called antibodies, can show up if someone has a disease like lupus. But, just because the test is positive, it doesn't mean you definitely have lupus.

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No, doctors cannot find out if someone has lupus with just one test. They need to do different tests and look at how the person feels to be sure it's lupus.

Finding out what's wrong can take a while. Symptoms might show up slowly, and doctors need to do many tests to check for other problems.

Yes, you can see a skin doctor if you have spots or rashes that look like lupus.

No, lupus signs can change a lot between different children. This makes it hard for doctors to find out if a child has lupus.

Sometimes, doctors use picture tests like X-rays or ultrasounds. These help them see if organs like the lungs or heart are okay.

A doctor called a paediatric rheumatologist helps children with immune system problems. They are important for finding out if a child has a disease called lupus and for helping to take care of it.

Here are some tools and tips that might help:

• Use picture books about doctors to learn more.
• Watch videos that talk about lupus in simple words.
• Ask a grown-up to explain any big words or ideas.

Doctors look carefully to see if someone has lupus. They ask lots of questions about how the person is feeling now and in the past. They do many tests to check the person's health. Sometimes, they might take a small piece from the body to look at it more closely. This helps them make sure it is lupus and not something else.

A biopsy is a test that doctors do to check a small piece of the body. They might check skin or kidney tissue. This test helps doctors see if there is swelling or if the body's defense system is overactive. This can show if someone has lupus.

Yes, a pee test can look for kidney problems. It checks for protein and blood in the pee. These can be signs of a problem called lupus nephritis.

Yes, your daily habits like what you eat, how you handle stress, and if you exercise often can help you feel better. But remember, they don't take the place of seeing a doctor and getting treatment.