Coexistence of sickle cell nephropathy and lupus nephritis in a Sudanese child

• Main Authors: Ahmed B Idris, Ala Abdulgayoom, Eman Mudawi, A M El Hassan, Elwaleed Mohamed Elamin, Lamyaa Ahmed Mohamed El Hassan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015-01-01
• Series: Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation
• Online Access: http://www.sjkdt.org/article.asp?issn=1319-2442;year=2015;volume=26;issue=3;spage=584;epage=588;aulast=Idris

In spite of the wide distribution of sickle cell disease (SCD) in Africa, an association with systemic lupus erythromatosis (SLE) is seldom reported. This may be due to the poor association between the two diseases or the high prevalence of missed cases. Progressive renal injury is prominent in both SCD and SLE. In this communication, we are presenting a case of an 11-year-old male who presented with sickle cell nephropathy that manifested as nephrotic syndrome with no response to conservative therapy, alongside unexplained massive hemolysis. His renal biopsy proved SLE superimposed on sickle cell nephropathy. We are stressing the importance of considering alternate disease processes in patients with SCD when symptoms change or when there is an atypical clinical course.