title: A 10-year retrospective study of neonatal lupus erythematous in China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is not a common disease. The death rate of complete congenital heart block (CCHB), which is the most severe clinical manifestation, is as high as 20% to 30%, so early recognition of infants at risk is important.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the clinical features and long-term prognosis of NLE.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five cases with NLE were reviewed. The clinical manifestations of patients and their mothers were summarized and analyzed. Autoantibodies were detected, and long-term follow-up was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 25 patients (male:female ratio of 11:14). CCHB was detected in only 3 of the 25 patients (12%). Cutaneous neonatal lupus erythematosus (CNLE) was seen in 22 of the 25 patients (88%). Eight babies were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), five of whom had a prolonged PR interval that reverted to normal sinus rhythm. During the follow-up of the patients, we found only two patients with CCHB without a pacemaker, who both exhibited growth delay. One patient with CCHB without a pacemaker died.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with NLE have an excellent outcome when only skin lesions are present. Even the hepatic, hematological and neurological abnormalities are transient, with generally good outcomes. IVIG might have some effectiveness due to enhanced anti-inflammatory activity to treat early diseases that may be reversible (e.g. prolonged PR interval). The long-term prognosis for patients with NLE is still under investigation, and some infants with NLE may progress to other autoimmune diseases later in childhood.
authors.affiliation: Griffith Health Institute - Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Yingfang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Lizhong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Jiarong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Jiyan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lihua
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000151:congenital / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000151:congenital / Q000276:immunology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000151:congenital* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D015415:Biomarkers; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C035356:SS-A antibodies; C035357:SS-B antibodies