An 8-year-old child is diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and the child's parent asks if there is a cure. What will the primary care pediatric nurse practitioner tell the parent?

• A. Complete remission occurs in some children at the age of puberty.
• B. Periods of remission may occur but there is no permanent cure.
• C. SLE can be cured with effective medication and treatment.
• D. The disease is always progressive with no cure and no remissions.

Answer: (B)

Systemic lupus erythematosus in children is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by flares and periods of reduced activity. There is no permanent cure for SLE, but with ongoing treatment, symptoms and organ inflammation can be well controlled, and many patients experience periods of remission. Puberty or aging may influence disease activity, but remission is not guaranteed for every child. The idea that it can be cured with medications is not accurate, and saying the disease is always progressive with no remissions also misrepresents the typical course. So, the most accurate message to the parent is that periods of remission may occur, but there is no permanent cure.