ANA Test positive in 11 year old boy.

[shoppers]

Hi,

I wondered if any of you have experience of lupus in children? My Ds has tested positive on the ANA blood test. He doesn't have a lupus diagnosis so I'm worried!

He has been referred to a paediatric rheumatologist for further investigation.

He has a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome hence the blood tests. The main symptom he has is unexplained leg pain below the knees. He doesn't have any other lupus symptoms such as the facial butterfly rash. But the leg pain has been an issue for well over a year.

I would be grateful for any insight you may have.

Hi, my daughter has juvenile arthritis, she was diagnosed at 9yrs and is ana positive. She had severe pain in her legs and hips. Hth

It can also point towards coeliacs, rheumatoid arthritis and all sorts of other things I think, and allergies. From what I've read it's a sign that something autoimmune-related is wrong, but doesn't tell you what that is.

Please try not to worry too much. ANA positive on its own doesn't mean too much. Hopefully the specialist can help your son but this is just one of a number of things he/she will look at.

As a side issue - have you checked your son for hypermobility or flat feet/gait issues as these can cause pain in the legs. There may still be an auto immune issue but worth considering whether the leg pain is caused by something else too.

ANA is non specific and can be raised for lots of reasons, also a percentage of the healthy population are positive. What is the titre?

Does he have any swelling in his joints?

Hi,

Thought I'd post as I'm going through something similar, daughter has painful knees and below, shes also hyper mobile, her bloods have just come back and shes rheumatoid factor positive, so I have no clue what that mean? Arthritis?

Anyhow didnt want to read and run, just letting you know your not alone xx