title: Neonatal lupus erythematosus: a case report.
abstract: Neonatal lupus erythematosus is a syndrome characterized by congenital heart block and/or cutaneous lupus erythematosus in the presence of maternal autoantibodies. We report a female newborn with cutaneous lesions of the neonatal lupus erythematosus born to a clinically asymptomatic mother. She presented with erythematous maculopapules on the face, neck and upper trunk at birth. Complete blood cell count showed leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Antinuclear antibodies, anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies were positive in the mother and infant. The skin lesions became annular, erythematous and slightly scaling three weeks later. A skin biopsy performed at seven weeks of age showed edema of the dermis and perivascular mononuclear cell infiltration. Immunofluorescent studies showed immune complex deposition of IgG an IgM in the basal zone of epidermis. She received supportive treatment and sun avoidance. Hematologic abnormalities recovered by nine weeks of age. Skin lesions faded gradually during the following four months, leaving residual hypopigmentation and telangiectasia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tzu-Chi Buddhist General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000151:congenital* / Q000628:therapy