Introduction:
Wilson’s disease (WD), also known as hepatolenticular degeneration
(HLD), is a rare inherited autosomal recessive disorder. It arises from
a defect in copper excretion, leading to its toxic accumulation in
organs like the liver, corneas, kidneys, heart, and nervous system. This
condition stems from mutations in the ATP7B gene on chromosome
13.(1–3) Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), on the other hand, is an
autoimmune disease. In SLE, the body produces abnormal antibodies that
attack healthy tissues, causing damage to various organs, including the
skin, kidneys, joints, lungs, heart, digestive system, blood vessels,
and the nervous system.(1–3)
The co-occurrence of WD and SLE in a patient without prior exposure
to the drug d-penicillamine is a rare phenomenon reported only in a few
recent cases. This case report presents a unique instance of both WD and
SLE diagnosed in a 12-year-old female patient. The aim is to raise
awareness among healthcare professionals about the potential for these
two conditions to coexist.