Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus in an Infant Born to an Asymptomatic Mother with Anti-SSA/SSB Antibodies / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is a rare autoimmune disease that has a clinical spectrum of cutaneous, cardiac, and systemic abnormalities in neonates. It is caused by transplacental passage of maternal anti-Ro and/or anti-La autoantibodies, which result in skin lesions such as subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, congenital heart block, and liver function and hematologic abnormalities. We report a case of NLE in a 31-day-old female infant who was born to a clinically asymptomatic mother with anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies. The baby presented with multiple erythematous patches and annular plaques on the face and trunk. The skin biopsy showed slight follicular plugging, focal hydropic degeneration of the basal epidermis and mild edema, telangiectasia, and perivascular and interstitial lymphohistiocytic infiltration in the upper dermis. Her serological tests were positive for antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-SSA/Ro, and anti-SSB/La. These findings are consistent with NLE. The mother also had a positive autoantibody profile for ANA, anti-SSA/Ro, and anti-SSB/La without clinical symptoms.