IgG4-related disease in pediatric patients: a single-center experience

Objective: Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic, immune-mediated, and fibroinflammatory disease that can affect almost any organ system. We aimed to present our single-center experience of pediatric patients with IgG4-RD, a rare disease in children.

Methods: Pediatric patients diagnosed with IgG4-RD at the Hacettepe University between June 2014 and September 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with definite, probable, or possible diagnosis of IgG4-RD were included.

Results: A total of eight patients with a median age of 13.4 (IQR 9.5-15.0) years were included in the study. Clinical presentations were IgG4-related ophthalmic disease in six patients, IgG4-related lymphadenopathy in one patient, and IgG4-related sialadenitis and lymphadenopathy of several lymph nodes accompanied by pancreatitis, ulcerative colitis, and pulmonary manifestations in one patient. Elevated serum IgG4 was detected in three of eight patients (37.5%). The main histopathological feature was fibrosis and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates. Corticosteroids were used as first-line treatment in almost all patients with or without steroid-sparing agents. Azathioprine, methotrexate and rituximab were used as steroid-sparing agents. Relapse occurred in two of seven patients. Radiotherapy was used as the last resort in one patient with severe orbital disease.

Conclusion: IgG4 RD mainly presents with orbital manifestations in pediatric population but has wide phenotypic clinical variability. Although rare, early recognition and treatment are essential for a better outcome in these patients.