DO SILICONE IMPLANTS INCREASE THE RISK OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS(SLE)IN CHILDREN?

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DO SILICONE IMPLANTS INCREASE THE RISK OF SYSTEMIC

LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS(SLE)IN CHILDREN?

Jerry C. os, Imundo. Columbia University

College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY.

10032, P. Chander. New York Medical College, Vahalla,

NY. 10595

Silicone breast implants have been reported to

increase the risk for development of autoimmune

disease in adults. We report the occurrence of

systemic lupus erythematous in two children, a 15 year

old boy in 1992, 12 years after a silicone testicular

prosthesis was implanted In the scrotum for cosmetic

reasons (unilateral cryptorchidism), and a 10 year old

girl in 1981, two years after a silicone scleral

sponge was implanted in her eye (retinal detachment).

Both developed lupus nephritis requiring treatment

with prednisone and azathioprine to control their

disease. 2/50 children who have had renal biopsies for

lupus nephritis at Babies Hospital between 1977-19933

have had silicone implants prior to their developing

SLE.

In addition, we have examined a silicone testicular

implant electively removed from an asymptomatic 7 year

old boy and demonstrated significant granular mural

small vessel staining with anti-sera to IgM. mild

staining with anti-IgG and minimal staining with

anti-IgA, C1 and C3 in the fibromuscular tissue.

These observations, although limited, suggest

development of lupus in children in association with

silicone implants at sites other than the breast.