Neonatal lupus erythematosus: report of one case

A female newborn of SLE mother developed transient typical discoid-like lupus skin lesions over her face soon after birth and had severe relapse with generalized spreading following an episode of upper respiratory tract infection at 50 days of age. Blood picture showed anemia, transient thrombocytopenia and high ESR. Cardiac echo disclosed small ASD with minimal TR. Both EKG and 24 hrs EKG monitor presented normal findings. Serological studies at the early relapse stage of this disease showed increased serum ANA, IgA and IgM level with normal IgG and decrease of C3 and C4. Both Ro(SSA) and La(SSB) antibody systems were positive in mother but only positive for La(SSB) antibody system in this baby. The alpha-anticardiolipin antibody was negative. We suggest that the Ro(SSA) and/or La(SSB) antibody systems may play a role in the pathogenesis of neonatal lupus erythematosus.