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.