Pediatric Lupus Program
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Comprehensive lupus care for children
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect the bones, skin and vital organs. Our lupus program provides a wide range of services for children living with this condition. We focus on controlling the disease and preventing or minimizing long-term complications.
Your child may receive care from several providers, including:
Pediatric rheumatologists
Pediatric nephrologists
Adolescent medicine doctors
Pediatric nurse practitioners
Registered dietitians
Social workers
Pediatric lupus services
We provide family-centered care and support through all stages of childhood. For your convenience, we can schedule all your child's lupus-related appointments on the same day in a single location.
Comprehensive preventive care
Your child will receive annual screenings for common long-term health problems associated with lupus. Screening tests include:
Bone density testing
Cholesterol and lipid screening
Diet and physical activity assessments
Your child's team will also discuss how to prevent or manage complications.
Reproductive health care
Our adolescent medicine specialists offer reproductive health education and consultation services for adolescent and young adult patients. These services include guidance on birth control, prevention of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy planning.
Coordinated care
Managing a chronic condition often requires coordination among many providers, health care facilities, insurance companies and schools. Our dedicated lupus liaison works with your local providers to coordinate care, making it easier for your family to access services and resources close to home.
Support group
Our Lupus Peer Support Group provides children and parents with encouragement and information. Many families find support groups helpful for coping with the practical and psychological challenges of lupus.
For more information about our peer support group, call 415-502-2019.
Transition to adult lupus care
The transition to adult care can be challenging for young patients and their families as they face decisions about insurance and new providers. To make the transition as smooth as possible, we provide:
Annual assessments of readiness skills
Personalized planning sessions with your family
Transition visits where teens meet with a rheumatologist specializing in adult lupus care to discuss questions and concerns before switching care
Comprehensive lupus care for children
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect the bones, skin and vital organs. Our lupus program provides a wide range of services for children living with this condition. We focus on controlling the disease and preventing or minimizing long-term complications.
Your child may receive care from several providers, including:
Pediatric rheumatologists
Pediatric nephrologists
Adolescent medicine doctors
Pediatric nurse practitioners
Registered dietitians
Social workers
Pediatric lupus services
We provide family-centered care and support through all stages of childhood. For your convenience, we can schedule all your child's lupus-related appointments on the same day in a single location.
Comprehensive preventive care
Your child will receive annual screenings for common long-term health problems associated with lupus. Screening tests include:
Bone density testing
Cholesterol and lipid screening
Diet and physical activity assessments
Your child's team will also discuss how to prevent or manage complications.
Reproductive health care
Our adolescent medicine specialists offer reproductive health education and consultation services for adolescent and young adult patients. These services include guidance on birth control, prevention of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy planning.
Coordinated care
Managing a chronic condition often requires coordination among many providers, health care facilities, insurance companies and schools. Our dedicated lupus liaison works with your local providers to coordinate care, making it easier for your family to access services and resources close to home.
Support group
Our Lupus Peer Support Group provides children and parents with encouragement and information. Many families find support groups helpful for coping with the practical and psychological challenges of lupus.
For more information about our peer support group, call 415-502-2019.
Transition to adult lupus care
The transition to adult care can be challenging for young patients and their families as they face decisions about insurance and new providers. To make the transition as smooth as possible, we provide:
Annual assessments of readiness skills
Personalized planning sessions with your family
Transition visits where teens meet with a rheumatologist specializing in adult lupus care to discuss questions and concerns before switching care
Providers
Emily Von Scheven, MD
Rheumatology • Pediatric Rheumatology
Erica F. Lawson, MD
Rheumatology • Pediatric Rheumatology
Paul R. Brakeman, MD
Nephrology • Pediatric Nephrology
Elaine Ku, MD
Pediatric Nephrology • Nephrology
Awards & achievements
Top 10 in the nation for nephrology
Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties
Related conditions & treatments
Conditions
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Treatments
- Bone Density Scan (DXA/DEXA)
- Chronic Disease Management
- Transition of Youth with Special Care Needs
Clinical trials
A Phase 2, Open-Label, Single-Arm Trial of FT819 in Participants With Lupus NephritisOpens in a new window
The primary objective of this trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FT819, comprised of allogeneic T cells that express a CD19-targeted CAR, following bendamustine administration in participants with refractory moderate-to-severe lupus nephritis, as assessed by the proportion of participants who achieve complete renal response (CRR) at Week 26.The Pediatric Lupus Nephritis Mycophenolate Mofetil (PLUMM) StudyOpens in a new window
The study is a 1-year 2-part double-blinded placebo controlled 2-arm clinical trial...A Phase 1 Study of FT819 in B-cell Mediated Autoimmune DiseaseOpens in a new window
This is a phase 1 study designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and anti-B-cell activity of FT819 following treatment with or without auxiliary medicinal product (AMP) in participants with moderate-to-severe active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with or without nephritis, antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), idiopathic inflammatory myositis...A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics of Obinutuzumab in Adolescents With Active Class III or IV Lupus Nephritis and the Safety and PK of Obinutuzumab in Pediatric ParticipantsOpens in a new window
This phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study is designed to evaluate the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics (PK) of obinutuzumab in adolescent participants (AP) aged 12 to less than 18 with biopsy-confirmed proliferative lupus nephritis (LN). It will also evaluate open label safety and PK of obinutuzumab in pediatric participants (PP), aged 5 to <12 with LN.
Other lupus resources
Support services
Child Life
Certified child life specialists ease the stress and anxiety of childhood illness through therapeutic play, schooling and family-focused support.
Family Amenities
Family-friendly amenities help you relax and take care of yourself while staying close to your child. We offer lounges, kitchens, showers, breastfeeding rooms and more.
Social Services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Social workers ease the effect of illness, injury and hospitalization on your family with counseling and assistance to help you navigate the challenges.
Activity Rooms
Activity rooms offer a relaxed environment for children of all ages. Features include a playroom, digital arts studio and teen lounge. Find out more.
Pediatric Art Therapy Program
Art therapy helps kids and families express themselves, making it easier to cope with pediatric health issues. Group and bedside services are available.
Pediatric Music Therapy Program
Board-certified music therapists help kids cope with illness and the feelings that come with it. Find out about group activities and bedside therapy.
School Program for Hospitalized Children
Our schoolroom services and individual learning programs help children hospitalized at UCSF continue their education and get ready to return to school.
School Re-Entry Program
We help kids return to school after hospitalization by educating staff and students about their needs and recommending needed accommodations. Read more.
Individual Playtime & Instruction
If your child can't be around other kids for medical reasons, you can sign up for private sessions in our activity and school rooms. Find out how.
Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.
Parent Support Program
Weekly activities, including knitting, scrapbooking, chair massage and more, help family caregivers get a much-needed break. Find out more.
Patient Relations at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Patient relations reps and nursing supervisors are here to answer questions and address concerns. Learn about your rights, how to reach us and more.
Spiritual Care at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Chaplains help UCSF patients, families and staff cope with the spiritual and emotional challenges of childhood illness. Learn more.
International Services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
If you're coming to UCSF from outside the U.S., we coordinate your child's appointments and provide other helpful services. Here's how to get started.