Chinese Medical E-ournals Database

Chinese Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics(Electronic Edition) ›› 2026, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (03): 214 -221. doi: 10.3877/cma.j.issn.1673-5250.2026.03.004

Original Article

Clinical analysis of pediatric lupus nephritis patients with positive serum antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody

Huarong Li, Chaoying Chen(), Hongxian Yang, Juan Tu, Haiyun Geng, Ling Wan, Jinshan Sun   

  1. Department of Nephrology, Capital Center for Children′s Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
  • Received:2025-03-10 Revised:2026-04-22 Published:2026-06-01
  • Corresponding author: Chaoying Chen
Objective

To explore the clinical manifestations, renal histopathological features, and prognosis of pediatric lupus nephritis (LN) patients with positive serum antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA).

Methods

A total of 53 newly diagnosed LN children who were hospitalized in the Department of Nephrology, Capital Center for Children′s Health, Capital Medical University between January 2015 and February 2024 were selected. Based on the serum ANCA results, the children were divided into study group (n=9, with positive serum ANCA) and control group (n=44, with negative serum ANCA). A retrospective analysis was conducted to collect clinical data on the two groups, including clinical manifestations, laboratory test results, renal histopathological characteristics, and prognosis. Statistical comparisons were performed using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and Fisher′s exact test. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Capital Center for Children′s Health, Capital Medical University (Approval No. SHERLL2021052).

Results

①Among 53 children with LN, 19 were male and 34 were female, with onset age of (11.2±2.8) years. There were no statistically significant differences in general clinical data such as gender ratio and age of onset between the study group and control group (P>0.05). ②Compared with the control group, the study group had lower levels of hemoglobin (Hb) [79.0 g/L (68.0, 88.5 g/L) vs 102.0 g/L (84.3, 113.8 g/L), Z=2.90, P=0.003], and higher systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2000) scores [23.0 points (18.0, 30.0 points) vs 18.0 points (16.0, 20.8 points), Z=-2.55, P=0.010], as well as higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [(86.1±43.5) mm/h vs (38.7±27.7) mm/h, t=-4.22, P<0.001]. There were no statistically significant differences in anti double stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody titers, complement 3 and 4 levels, and incidence of extrarenal organ involvement between the two groups (P>0.05). The study group had higher levels of urine protein, and the difference was statistically significant (Z=-2.11, P=0.034). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in pyuria, gross hematuria, incidence of renal insufficiency, serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and the distribution of renal pathological classification (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the study group had a higher incidence of glomerular necrosis and a higher proportion of cells and cellular fibrous crescents (P=0.012; Z=-2.16, P=0.030). ③The median follow-up time for the study group and control group were 42.0 months (21.5, 63.5 months) and 16.5 months (6.0, 36.8 months), respectively. The complete remission (CR) time in the study group and control group were 2.5 months (2.0, 5.8 months) and 4.5 months (2.3, 6.8 months), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (Z=-1.37, P=0.185), and there were no statistically significant differences in the CR rate, the recurrence rate of LN, and the proportion of progress to end-stage renal disease (ESKD) (P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the sustained CR and survival (non-progression to ESKD) curves between the two groups of children (P>0.05).

Conclusions

Compared with LN children with negative serum ANCA, LN children with positive serum ANCA have higher LN activity, more severe anemia and more serious renal damage, requiring timely diagnosis and treatment. However, the relationship between serum ANCA and the long-term prognosis of kidney disease in LN children remains unclear.

表1 研究组和对照组LN患儿SLEDAI-2000评分、基线免疫生化指标与肾外器官受累情况比较
表2 研究组和对照组患儿LN相关临床表现比较
表3 研究组和对照组LN患儿肾组织病理学特征相关指标比较
图1 研究组和对照组LN患儿持续CR和生存曲线比较注:研究组为血清ANCA结果呈阳性的LN患儿,对照组为血清ANCA结果呈阴性的LN患儿。图1B中的生存曲线、生存率分别指未进展至ESKD曲线、未进展至ESKD率。ANCA为抗中性粒细胞细胞质抗体,LN为狼疮性肾炎。CR为完全缓解,ESKD为终末期肾病
表4 研究组和对照组LN患儿随访时间、治疗方案及疗效比较
[1]
Oni L, Wright RD, Marks S, et al. Kidney outcomes for children with lupus nephritis[J]. Pediatr Nephrol, 2021, 36(6): 1377-1385. DOI: 10.1007/s00467-020-04686-1.
[2]
Windpessl M, Bettac EL, Gauckler P, et al. ANCA status or clinical phenotype: what counts more?[J]. Curr Rheumatol Rep, 2021, 23(6): 37. DOI: 10.1007/s11926-021-01002-0.
[3]
Folci M, Ramponi G, Solitano V, et al. Serum ANCA as disease biomarkers: clinical implications beyond vasculitis[J]. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol, 2022, 63(2): 107-123. DOI: 10.1007/s12016-021-08887-w.
[4]
Wang Y, Huang X, Cai J, et al. Clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes of lupus nephritis with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody: a retrospective study[J]. Medicine (Baltimore), 2016, 95(4): e2580. DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000002580.
[5]
Hochberg MC. Updating the American College of Rheumatology revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus[J]. Arthritis Rheum, 1997, 40(9): 1725. DOI: 10.1002/art.1780400928.
[6]
Lewis EJ, Schwartz MM. Pathology of lupus nephritis[J]. Lupus, 2005, 14(1): 31-38. DOI: 10.1191/0961203305lu2056oa.
[7]
Bajema IM, Wilhelmus S, Alpers CE, et al. Revision of the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society classification for lupus nephritis: clarification of definitions, and modified National Institutes of Health activity and chronicity indices[J]. Kidney Int, 2018, 93(4): 789-796. DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2017.11.023.
[8]
Demir S, Gülhan B, Özen S, et al. Long-term renal survival of paediatric patients with lupus nephritis[J]. Nephrol Dial Transplant, 2022, 37(6): 1069-1077. DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfab152.
[9]
Schwartz GJ, Muñoz A, Schneider MF, et al. New equations to estimate GFR in children with CKD[J]. J Am Soc Nephrol, 2009, 20(3): 629-637. DOI: 10.1681/ASN.2008030287.
[10]
Li Q, Song D, Wang F, et al. Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of Chinese patients with scanty immune deposits lupus nephritis: a large cohort study from a single center[J]. ScientificWorldJournal, 2014, 2014: 212597. DOI: 10.1155/2014/212597.
[11]
中华医学会儿科学分会肾脏学组. 狼疮性肾炎诊治循证指南(2016)[J].中华儿科杂志2018, 56(2): 88-94. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0578-1310.2018.02.003.
[12]
Sen D, Isenberg DA. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus[J]. Lupus, 2003, 12(9): 651-658. DOI: 10.1191/0961203303lu456rr.
[13]
Gajic-Veljic M, Lekic B, Nikolic M, et al. Level and avidity of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies specific to lactoferrin are useful biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus[J]. Clin Rheumatol, 2022, 41(3): 709-720. DOI: 10.1007/s10067-021-05926-x.
[14]
Nakazawa D, Masuda S, Nishibata Y, et al. Neutrophils and NETs in kidney disease[J]. Nat Rev Nephrol, 2025, 21(6): 383-398. DOI: 10.1038/s41581-025-00944-3.
[15]
Said D, Rashad NM, Abdelrahmanc NS, et al. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody in lupus nephritis: correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and disease activity[J]. Curr Rheumatol Rev, 202117(2): 213-221. DOI: 10.2174/1573397116999201208213422.
[16]
Wang S, Shang J, Xiao J, et al. Clinicopathologic characteristics and outcomes of lupus nephritis with positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody[J]. Ren Fail, 2020, 42(1): 244-254. DOI: 10.1080/0886022X.2020.1735416.
[17]
Pyo JY, Jung SM, Song JJ, et al. ANCA positivity at the time of renal biopsy is associated with chronicity index of lupus nephritis[J]. Rheumatol Int, 2019, 39(5): 879-884. DOI: 10.1007/s00296-019-04263-2.
[18]
Turner-Stokes T, Wilson HR, Morreale M, et al. Positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody serology in patients with lupus nephritis is associated with distinct histopathologic features on renal biopsy[J]. Kidney Int, 2017, 92(5): 1223-1231. DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2017.04.029.
[19]
Dai G, Li L, Wang T, et al. Pulmonary involvement in children with systemic lupus erythematosus[J]. Front Pediatr, 2021, 8: 617137. DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.617137.
[20]
Nisihara R, Vithoft G, Alencar I, et al. ANCA in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. A cross sectional study in Brazilian patients and review of literature[J]. Lupus, 2024, 33(6): 574-586. DOI: 10.1177/09612033241240588.
[21]
Wang Y, Yu X, Xie X, et al. Clinical features and outcomes of patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus[J]. Ren Fail, 2023, 45(1): 2235431. DOI: 10.1080/0886022X.2023.2235431.
[22]
Gau CC, Tseng MH, Wu CY, et al. The impact of serum anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody on clinical characteristics and outcomes in pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients[J]. Front Med (Lausanne), 2021, 8: 647510. DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.647510.
[23]
Fan Y, Kang D, Chen Z, et al. Clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of lupus nephritis patients with scanty immune depositions in kidney biopsies[J]. J Nephrol, 2023, 36(8): 2345-2354. DOI: 10.1007/s40620-023-01622-y.
[24]
Lacetera R, Calatroni M, Roggero L, et al. Prevalence and clinical significance of ANCA positivity in lupus nephritis: a case series of 116 patients and literature review[J]. J Nephrol, 2023, 36(4): 1059-1070. DOI: 10.1007/s40620-023-01574-3.
[25]
Li C, Wang JJ, Zhou ML, et al. Differences in clinico-pathological characteristics and outcomes between proteinase 3-ANCA positivity and myeloperoxidase-ANCA positivity in lupus nephritis[J]. Lupus, 2019, 28(9): 1111-1119. DOI: 10.1177/0961203319861680.
[26]
El-Garf K, El-Garf A, Gheith R, et al. A comparative study between the disease characteristics in adult-onset and childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus in Egyptian patients attending a large university hospital[J]. Lupus, 2021, 30(2): 211-218. DOI: 10.1177/0961203320972778.
[27]
Kang JH, Park DJ, Lee KE, et al. Comparison of clinical, serological, and prognostic differences among juvenile-,adult-,and late-onset lupus nephritis in Korean patients[J]. Clin Rheumatol, 2017, 36(6): 1289-1295. DOI: 10.1007/s10067-017-3641-6.
[1] Yu Tian, Rong Luo. Current research status on clinical application of the functional deficit assessment scals for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder[J]. Chinese Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics(Electronic Edition), 2026, 22(03): 185-193.
[2] Jie Yang, Chunmei Yu, Rong Luo. Current status of assessment instruments for tic disorders severity and premonitory urges[J]. Chinese Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics(Electronic Edition), 2026, 22(03): 194-203.
[3] Xueluo Zhang, Yanhua Chen, Xianping Wang, Lixia Liang, Zhiping Zhang. Etiology and reproductive strategies for women with premature ovarian insufficiency[J]. Chinese Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics(Electronic Edition), 2026, 22(02): 109-116.
[4] Xiaoqing Zhang, Xiaoxiang Song, Xueqian Wang, Zhongqin Jin, Jie Zhang, Huigang Lu. X-linked ELF4 deficiency: a case report and literature review[J]. Chinese Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics(Electronic Edition), 2026, 22(02): 173-184.
[5] Meng Zhang, Jun Li, Na Li, Hao Sun, Juntao Han. Clinical classification and therapeutic approaches for palmar finger scarring following pediatric burns[J]. Chinese Journal of Injury Repair and Wound Healing(Electronic Edition), 2026, 21(03): 177-182.
[6] Xufang Luo, Yanzi Wang, Hongna Teng, Deli Zhao, Li Yuan, Siyu Jin, Hao Guan. A qualitative study through the lens of timing theory: the care experience of caregivers for severely burned children[J]. Chinese Journal of Injury Repair and Wound Healing(Electronic Edition), 2026, 21(01): 40-46.
[7] Fan Yang, Quanlin Li, Peizhi Gao, Jiaxin Li, Jie Huang, Sheng Liu, Zhongkai Liao, Xu Wang, Min Zeng. Analysis of characteristics and risk factors for new-onset cytomegalovirus infection in the early postoperative period following pediatric heart transplantation[J]. Chinese Journal of Transplantation(Electronic Edition), 2026, 20(02): 85-90.
[8] Zhongxi Zhang, Jialiang Zou, Qingchi Zhang, Yunqin Liu, Junxue Jiang. Diagnosis and treatment report of 4 cases and literature review of Pantaloon hernia in children[J]. Chinese Journal of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery(Electronic Edition), 2026, 20(03): 357-360.
[9] Ni Wang, Zhe Zhao, Min Wang, Yi Miao. Application of nasal administration of remimazolam combined with dexmedetomidine in laparoscopic high ligation of hernial sac in children[J]. Chinese Journal of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery(Electronic Edition), 2026, 20(02): 190-194.
[10] Yanan Tang, Xiaoliang Liu, Xiuying Ma, Lushan Zhao, Liying Wang, Pengxiang Zhou, Xiaoyan Gai, Yan Xing. Retrospective analysis of clinical features and current status of diagnosis and treatment in 577 children with community-acquired pneumonia[J]. Chinese Journal of Lung Diseases(Electronic Edition), 2026, 19(02): 303-308.
[11] Shaotao Tang, Mengxin Zhang, Jiayu Zheng. Pediatric minimally invasive surgery in China: 45 years of review and future perspectives[J]. Chinese Journal of Laparoscopic Surgery(Electronic Edition), 2026, 19(02): 83-88.
[12] Pingping Xu, Danyang Song, Xiao Li, Hui Li, Xia Wang. Stratification value of combined scoring of procalcitonin and amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide on the efficacy of methylprednisolone combining integrated blood purification in children with severe sepsis[J]. Chinese Journal of Kidney Disease Investigation(Electronic Edition), 2026, 15(02): 93-99.
[13] Shumin He, Qianqian Sheng, Guixia Ding. Clinical and pathological characteristics of pediatric lupus nephritis with hyperuricemia[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinicians(Electronic Edition), 2026, 20(02): 90-96.
[14] Xuedong Song, Jiejun Xia, Ningdong Pang, Guoheng Liu, Shuchang Wei. Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt for the Treatment of Portal Hypertension in a Child with Cirrhosis: A Case Report[J]. Chinese Journal of Interventional Radiology(Electronic Edition), 2026, 14(02): 216-218.
[15] Junyu Zhai, Weiwei Qi, Min Chao. Age-stratified differential diagnosis and treatment of pediatric facial traumatic scars[J]. Chinese Journal of Diagnostics(Electronic Edition), 2026, 14(02): 98-102.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract