Clinical characteristics and treatment of splenic infarction in children with systemic lupus erythematosus

Splenic infarction(SI)is a rare clinical phenomenon that occurs when the blood supply to the spleen is interrupted,resulting in tissue ischemia and necrosis[1].There are many causes of SI;in adult patients,cardioembolism,hematological malignancy,and infectious disease are the most common[2].Rheumatic diseases,especially systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)and granulomatosis with polyangitis,can also lead to SI[3];however,only a few cases have been reported.There are currently no statistically meaningful data on the etiology of SI in children.Although most patients with SI can recover after conservative treatment,a small number of patients develop complications,such as splenic abscess,splenic rupture,splenic hemorrhage,and hemoperitoneum,and may even undergo splenectomy in severe cases.