Lupus panniculitis is a form of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus characterized by firm subcutaneous nodules and plaques. Although the lesions of lupus panniculitis can involve the face, upper arms, trunk, buttocks, and legs, there is a predilection for facial involvement in the pediatric population. The affected areas tend to be asymptomatic and may or may not have associated overlying cutaneous changes. The lesions resolve over time, resulting in subcutaneous atrophy that can be disfiguring.

This entity is rare in the pediatric population, and its exact prevalence is unknown. The mean age of onset is 8 years old among those cases reported. Most patients do not have concurrent systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and extensive laboratory evaluation is not indicated in the absence of systemic symptoms.