ABSTRACT
With the emergence of a clear clinical syndrome associated with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), both primary and secondary forms of the syndrome have been increasingly recognized in the pediatric population. Although most of the literature is in the form of case reports, cross-sectional studies of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) support the presence of aPL with typical complications in children. As with adult primary antiphospholipid syndrome, prevalence is difficult to estimate since patients usually present with complications prior to diagnosis, and such complications in children are rare. The reports of familial antiphospholipid syndromes preceded the development of the anticardiolipin assay. The prevalence of aPL in the pediatric SLE population is likely similar to that seen in adults, and although specific risk of complications is difficult to ascertain, typical associated manifestations have been identified in several studies and in multiple case reports.
