Prevalence of antiphospholipid and antinuclear antibodies in children with epilepsy.

Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent venous thrombosis or arterial occlusive events and fetal losses associated with elevated levels of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs).

Material/methods: The presence of antinuclear, anti-beta2-glycoprotein I, and anticardiolipin antibodies were investigated in 60 consecutive children with epilepsy who were followed up in a single Hungarian center.

Results: Almost 50% (28/60) of the patients were ANA positive.

[Disease course, frequency of relapses and survival of patients with juvenile or adult dermatomyositis].

Introduction: The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are systemic autoimmune diseases characterized by chronic muscle inflammation resulting progressive weakness and frequent involvement of internal organs, mainly the pulmonary, gastrointestinal and cardiac systems.

Objective: To present clinical characteristics, disease course, frequency of relapses and survival of 79 patients with juvenile or adult dermatomyositis.

Methods: A national registry of patients with juvenile dermatomyositis was elaborated by the authors in Hungary.