Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus co-existing with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in a 16-year-old Nigerian girl: Case report

Abstract

This case report presents the rare occurrence of juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (jSLE) co-existing with Hashimoto thyroiditis in a 16-year-old secondary school female. The patient’s initial complaints included a rash of three months’ duration, joint pain and anterior neck swelling of one month. The clinical examination revealed presence of discoid lesions, and an enlarged thyroid gland. Laboratory investigations confirmed positive autoimmune markers for both SLE and thyroiditis. The treatment plan involved prednisolone, azathioprine, hydroxychloroquine, calcium/vitamin D3 and levothyroxine. This case highlights the diagnostic and management challenges posed by the co-existence of these autoimmune conditions in a juvenile patient.