Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia as an initial manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is a rare complication of adult systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This is the first report of a pediatric patient with BOOP as an initial presentation of SLE. She had dyspnea, cough, arthralgia, and erythema on her face. Laboratory examinations revealed pancytopenia, low serum levels of complements, and positivity for anti-nuclear antibody, anti-double stranded DNA antibody, and anti-SM antibody. Her respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function tests, and radiologic findings showed significant improvement after treatment with oral prednisolone. Although it is a rare complication among the pleuro-pulmonary manifestations in SLE, BOOP can be the first presentation, even in pediatric patients. Copyright 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.