[Neonatal lupus erythematosus: 4 cases and clinical review]

Autoimmune congenital heart block: complex and unusual situations

Autoimmune congenital heart block (ACHB) is an immune-mediated cardiac disease included among the manifestations collectively referred to as neonatal lupus. The placental transference of maternal Ro/La autoantibodies may damage the conduction tissues during fetal development leading to blocking of signal conduction at the atrioventricular (AV) node in an otherwise structurally normal heart. Irreversible complete AV block is the main cardiac manifestation of ACHB, but some babies may develop endocardial fibroelastosis, valvular insufficiency, and/or frank cardiomyopathies with significantly reduced cardiac function requiring transplant. The severity of ACHB is illustrated by a global mortality rate of 20% and pacemaker rates of at least 64%, often within the first year of life. This review analyses the main complex and/or unusual clinical situations associated with ACHB, including unusual maternal immunological profiles, infrequent maternal autoimmune diseases, cardiac damage unrelated to AV block, fetal invasive management, late complications after birth, risk of congenital heart block (CHB) in ovodonation and in vitro fertilization techniques, the role of maternal features other than autoimmunity, the influence of the birth order or the risk of CHB in twins and triplets.

Neonatal lupus syndrome associated with ribonucleoprotein antibodies

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is a rare acquired autoimmune disease caused by transplacental transfer of maternal immunoglobulin G antibodies to the fetus. NLE has well-recognized cutaneous features and may also manifest in other organs. The majority of cases are associated with Ro/SSA and La/SSB antibodies. Neonatal lupus due to antiribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibodies has rarely been reported. On rare occasions RNP has been found in association with other antibodies. We report a case of NLE occurring solely due to RNP antibodies presenting as varicelliform lesions at birth. We recorded the features in our case and 14 additional cases identified in the literature. It is important to recognize that maternal transfer of RNP antibodies may produce the classic cutaneous features of neonatal lupus. The limited case reports of this condition suggest that manifestations are limited to the skin; specifically, there are no reports of cardiac involvement. The long-term outcome remains unknown. RNP-positive, Ro/La-negative NLE seems to represent a different clinical subset of NLE. The recognition of RNP antibody NLE as a benign condition limited to the skin is helpful in planning antenatal care for subsequent pregnancies.

Newborns whose mother has autoimmune disease. A community hospitals' experience

Mothers with autoimmune diseases (AID) may have exacerbations of their disease during pregnancy and postpartum period, with fetal implications and neonatal complications. The aim of this study was to describe miscarriages during pregnancy and postpartum problems among mothers with AID and associated neonatal pathology. Retrospective data was recorded from 2004 to 2010. 29 mothers with AID were analyzed, 65% of whom had lupus erythematosus (SLE). There were 52 pregnancies, which resulted in 39 newborns. There were 10 instances of maternal complications (25.6%) during the pregnancies, including 1 with digital vasculitis, 1 with pancreatitis, 1 outbreak of glomerulonephritis, 1 case of gestational diabetes, 2 patients at risk for preterm birth, 3 with preeclampsia and 1 with eclampsia. During the postpartum period, there was one case of SLE exacerbation. Among the newborns 20.5% had low birth weight and 4 exhibited the transplacental passage of maternal antibodies with one case of neonatal lupus. Among complications beyond the neonatal period, 8 (20.5%) children developed asthma, one presented negative ANA oligoarthritis and another presented immune thrombocytopenic purpura. In our hospital, the rates of miscarriage, prematurity and LBW among the newborns of mothers with AID are similar to those reported in the literature. The observation of a case of NL with the transplacental passage of anti-Sm is remarkable.

Neonatal lupus erythematosus

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.