title: Neonatal lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) refers to a clinical spectrum of cutaneous, cardiac, and systemic abnormalities observed in newborn infants whose mothers have autoantibodies against Ro/SSA and La/SSB. The condition is rare and usually benign and self-limited but sometimes may be associated with serious sequelae. We review the pathophysiology, clinical features, and management of infants with this condition. Neonates with NLE should be managed at a tertiary care center. Multidisciplinary team involvement may also be indicated. In mothers with anti-Ro/SSA and/or anti-La/SSB antibodies and infants with congenital heart block, the risk of recurrence in subsequent offspring is 17-25%. Therefore, careful monitoring of subsequent pregnancies with serial ultrasonography and echocardiography is essential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, 6/F, Clinical Sciences Building, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Kam Lun
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hon
authors.forename: Alexander K C
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Leung