lupus.org

New research out of Turkey finds more than half of children with lupus present with some type of blood disorder. Among the children assessed in the study, anemia (a condition characterized by low levels of healthy red blood cells) was most commonly observed, followed by leukopenia (low levels of white blood cells) and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).

Researchers assessed the clinical data of 215 children with lupus from four different hospitals and found 118 (55%) were also diagnosed with a blood disorder. Blood disorders were associated with:

• High disease activity scores
• Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (a blood clotting disorder)
• More frequent kidney complications
• Lower levels of C3 (a protein in the blood that supports the immune system)
• More frequent anti-SM antibodies (self-attacking antibodies)

Research in this area is ongoing. Follow the Lupus Foundation of America for updates and learn more about how lupus affects the blood.