14-year-old is now in remission thanks to swift intervention from a team of healthcare professionals.
Abu Dhabi-UAE.September 2024 – Salem Khaled, a 14-year-old boy diagnosed with a severe and incurable autoimmune disease has been given a shot at leading a normal life after doctors at SEHA, a subsidiary of PureHealth, the largest healthcare platform in the Middle East, were able to intervene early and achieve remission for his disease.
Salem, a previously healthy young boy, was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (kidney inflammation) after presenting with severe symptoms including a skin rash on his face, upper trunk, and arms, fever, acute kidney injury, coughing up blood, and swelling. SLE is a long-term condition that causes joint pain, skin rashes and tiredness, but severe symptoms can include inflammation causing severe damage to the heart, lungs, brain or kidneys, which can be life-threatening. There is no cure, but symptoms can improve if treatment starts early.
The initial diagnosis revealed the severity of his condition, requiring aggressive treatment measures. The treatment involved multiple courses of steroids and potent immunosuppressive medications followed by gradual weaning. Now he is off steroid. Despite showing low levels of antibodies and suffering from multiple serious infections, Salem’s condition began to improve with monthly Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatments.
Dr Ayesha Rashed Al Muhairi, Paediatric Rheumatologist at SEHA, said: “Salem’s journey has been challenging, but his response to treatment has been remarkable. Despite the initial severity of his condition and the complications that followed, Salem is now in remission, and we are committed to ensuring his continued progress and well-being.”
Today, Salem is in remission, meaning his symptoms have settled down. He is off steroids and continues to receive medication to keep things in check. His remarkable progress underscores the effectiveness of the comprehensive care provided by SEHA’s dedicated medical team, as well as the expertise they can deploy.
SLE is rare among children, with studies from different parts of the world reporting a prevalence of 3.3–8.8 per 100,000 children.[1] It can be difficult to diagnose as its symptoms can be similar to other conditions.
Salem’s swift diagnosis and treatment highlights the expertise of SEHA’s medical professionals as well as the advanced healthcare services available through the network. SEHA operates in line with PureHealth’s mission to expand lifespans and health spans under its commitment to unlocking the science of longevity.
