Prevalence of neonatal lupus in a small group of antibody-carrying mothers and frequency of complete atrioventricular block.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal lupus (NL) is extremely rare and is caused by the transplacental passage of maternal IgG autoantibodies against Ro, La, and/or RNP proteins into the fetal circulation, which can cause congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAB), permanent skin lesions, and liver involvement. OBJECTIVE: To know the prevalence of NL in patients with CCAB and the clinical course in long-term follow-up. METHODS: From January 1992 to December 2017, patients with CCAB were included. The presence of anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antinuclear antibodies in maternal serum confirmed NL. RESULTS: Eight patients were included with a follow-up of 10 ± 6 years; NL was concluded in 62.5%; two were male. One of them was diagnosed in utero, two at birth, and a pacemaker was implanted in them, one at 12 years of age and another at 15. The other two cases were diagnosed at 18 and 26 years of age, and permanent pacemakers were implanted 8 and 5 years later, respectively. In one case, a definitive pacemaker was not implanted in a newborn with only 1 year of follow-up. At delivery, 60% of the mothers were free of rheumatic disease, and altogether, they all had 19 children; none of them presented NL manifestations. CONCLUSIONS: CCAB is rare and frequently associated with a maternal autoimmune disease, practically all of them will require a definitive pacemaker at some point in their lives.

ANTECEDENTES: El lupus neonatal (LN) es extremadamente raro y es ocasionado por el paso transplacentario de auto-anticuerpos maternos IgG contra las proteínas Ro, La y/o RNP a la circulación fetal que puede ocasionar bloqueo aurículo-ventricular completo congénito (BAVCC) permanente, lesiones dérmicas y afectación hepática. OBJETIVO: Conocer la prevalencia de LN en paciente con BAVCC y la evolución clínica en un seguimiento a largo plazo. MÉTODOS: De enero de 1992 a diciembre 2017 se incluyeron paciente con BAVCC. La presencia de anticuerpos antinucleares anti-SSA/Ro y anti-SSB/La en suero materno confirmó LN. RESULTADOS: Ocho pacientes fueron incluidos con seguimiento de 10 ± 6 años, el 62.5 % con LN; dos fueron del sexo masculino. Uno diagnosticado in útero, dos al nacimiento, en ellos se implantó marcapaso; uno a los 12 años de edad y otro a los 15. Los otros dos casos fueron diagnosticados a los 18 y 26 años, se implantó marcapaso definitivo en ellos 8 y 5 años después respectivamente. En un caso no se implantó marcapaso definitivo; un recién nacido con solo un año de seguimiento. Al dar a luz, el 60 % de las madres estaban libres de enfermedad reumática y en conjunto todas tuvieron 19 hijos, ninguno de ellos presentó manifestaciones de LN. CONCLUSIONES: El BAVCC es raro y frecuentemente está asociado a una enfermedad autoinmune materna, prácticamente todos requerirán de marcapaso definitivo en alguna época de su vida.

Prevalence of neonatal lupus in a small group of antibody-carrying mothers and frequency of complete atrioventricular block / Prevalencia de lupus neonatal en un pequeño grupo de madres portadoras de anticuerpos y frecuencia de bloqueo auriculoventricular completo

Abstract Background: Neonatal lupus (NL) is extremely rare and is caused by the transplacental passage of maternal IgG autoantibodies against Ro, La, and/or RNP proteins into the fetal circulation, which can cause congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAB), permanent skin lesions, and liver involvement. Objective: To know the prevalence of NL in patients with CCAB and the clinical course in long-term follow-up. Methods: From January 1992 to December 2017, patients with CCAB were included. The presence of anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antinuclear antibodies in maternal serum confirmed NL. Results: Eight patients were included with a follow-up of 10 ± 6 years; NL was concluded in 62.5%; two were male. One of them was diagnosed in utero, two at birth, and a pacemaker was implanted in them, one at 12 years of age and another at 15. The other two cases were diagnosed at 18 and 26 years of age, and permanent pacemakers were implanted 8 and 5 years later, respectively. In one case, a definitive pacemaker was not implanted in a newborn with only 1 year of follow-up. At delivery, 60% of the mothers were free of rheumatic disease, and altogether, they all had 19 children; none of them presented NL manifestations. Conclusions: CCAB is rare and frequently associated with a maternal autoimmune disease, practically all of them will require a definitive pacemaker at some point in their lives.

Resumen Antecedentes: El lupus neonatal (LN) es extremadamente raro y es ocasionado por el paso transplacentario de auto-anticuerpos maternos IgG contra las proteínas Ro, La y/o RNP a la circulación fetal que puede ocasionar bloqueo aurículo-ventricular completo congénito (BAVCC) permanente, lesiones dérmicas y afectación hepática. Objetivo: Conocer la prevalencia de LN en paciente con BAVCC y la evolución clínica en un seguimiento a largo plazo. Métodos: De enero de 1992 a diciembre 2017 se incluyeron paciente con BAVCC. La presencia de anticuerpos antinucleares anti-SSA/Ro y anti-SSB/La en suero materno confirmó LN. Resultados: Ocho pacientes fueron incluidos con seguimiento de 10 ± 6 años, el 62.5 % con LN; dos fueron del sexo masculino. Uno diagnosticado in útero, dos al nacimiento, en ellos se implantó marcapaso; uno a los 12 años de edad y otro a los 15. Los otros dos casos fueron diagnosticados a los 18 y 26 años, se implantó marcapaso definitivo en ellos 8 y 5 años después respectivamente. En un caso no se implantó marcapaso definitivo; un recién nacido con solo un año de seguimiento. Al dar a luz, el 60 % de las madres estaban libres de enfermedad reumática y en conjunto todas tuvieron 19 hijos, ninguno de ellos presentó manifestaciones de LN. Conclusiones: El BAVCC es raro y frecuentemente está asociado a una enfermedad autoinmune materna, prácticamente todos requerirán de marcapaso definitivo en alguna época de su vida.

Reducing the burden of surveillance in pregnant women with no history of fetal atrioventricular block using the negative predictive value of anti-Ro/SSA antibody titers.

BACKGROUND: The risk of fetal atrioventricular block in anti-Ro/SSA antibody-exposed pregnancies with no previous affected offspring is approximately 2%. A high antibody titer is necessary but not sufficient for atrioventricular block, and specific antibody titers do not predict risk. However, there are no data on the negative predictive value of antibody titer to identify pregnancies at low risk of fetal atrioventricular block, and may not require surveillance. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to define anti-Ro52 and anti-Ro60 antibody thresholds for the identification of fetuses unlikely to develop atrioventricular block using clinically validated and research laboratory tests. STUDY DESIGN: This study performed a multicenter review of pregnant subjects who tested positive in their local commercial laboratories for anti-Ro/SSA antibodies at the University of Colorado Children's Hospital (2014-2021) and Phoenix Children's Hospital (2014-2021) and enrolled in the Research Registry for Neonatal Lupus (RRNL) at New York University Langone Medical Center (2002-2021). The subjects were referred on the basis of rheumatologic symptoms or history of atrioventricular block in a previous pregnancy and were retrospectively grouped on the basis of pregnancy outcome. Group 1 indicated no fetal atrioventricular block in current or past pregnancies; group 2 indicated fetal atrioventricular block in the current pregnancy; and group 3 indicated normal current pregnancy but with fetal atrioventricular block in a previous pregnancy. Maternal sera were analyzed for anti-Ro52 and anti-Ro60 antibodies using a clinically validated multiplex bead assay (Associated Regional and University Pathologists Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT) and a research enzyme-linked immunosorbent immunoassay (New York University). This study calculated the negative predictive value separately for anti-Ro52 and anti-Ro60 antibodies and for the 2 combined using a logistic regression model and a parallel testing strategy. RESULTS: This study recruited 270 subjects (141 in group 1, 66 in group 2, and 63 in group 3). Of note, 89 subjects in group 1 had data on hydroxychloroquine treatment: anti-Ro/SSA antibody titers were no different between those treated (n=46) and untreated (n=43). Mean anti-Ro52 and anti-Ro60 titers were the lowest in group 1 and not different between groups 2 and 3. No case of fetal atrioventricular block developed among subjects with anti-Ro52 and anti-Ro60 titers of <110 arbitrary units per milliliter using the multiplex bead assay of the Associated Regional and University Pathologists Laboratories (n=141). No case of fetal atrioventricular block developed among subjects with research laboratory anti-Ro52 titers of <650 and anti-Ro60 of <4060 enzyme-linked immunosorbent immunoassay units (n=94). Using these 100% negative predictive value thresholds, more than 50% of the anti-Ro/SSA antibody pregnancies that ultimately had no fetal atrioventricular block could be excluded from surveillance based on clinical and research titers, respectively. CONCLUSION: Study data suggested that there is a clinical immunoassay level of maternal anti-Ro/SSA antibodies below which the pregnancy is at low risk of fetal atrioventricular block. This study speculated that prospectively applying these data may avert the costly serial echocardiograms currently recommended for all anti-Ro/SSA-antibody positive pregnancies and guide future management.

Lupus eritematoso neonatal. Reporte de caso de lactante concebida por inseminación artificial y madre con artritis reumatoidea / Lupus eritematoso neonatal Report of the infant case conceived by artificial insemination and mother with rheumatoid arthritis

El Lupus Eritematoso Neonatal es una enfermedad de origen autoinmune caracterizada por rash cutáneo transitorio, bloqueo cardíaco congénito permanente, función hepática anormal con o sin enfermedad biliar y compromiso hematológico asociado a la presencia de autoanticuerpos maternos contra la ribonucleoproteinas solubles (SSB/La, SSA/Ro y Anti-RNP). Se presenta el caso de una niña de cinco meses de edad con hallazgos clínicos e histopatológicos de Lupus eritematoso neonatal. Es una condición que no suele dejar secuelas, aunque se han reportado casos de atrofia cutánea e hiperpigmentación

Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disease characterized by transitory cutaneous rash, congenital heart block, abnormal liver function test with or without cholestasis and hematologic features associated to anti-Ro and anti-La autoantibodies. A 5-month-old female is brought to the hospital with clinical and histopathology findings of Neonatal lupus. This medical condition does not leave long term physical damage, however there have been cases reported with cutaneous atrophy and hyperpigmentation

Lupus neonatal. Reporte de un caso

El lupus eritematoso neonatal (LEN) es una enfermedad rara, con incidencia de aproximadamente 2% en recién nacidos y menos del 5% de estos bebés desarrollarán lupus eritematoso sistémico en la adolescencia tardía o en la adultez temprana. Se presenta un caso de un recién nacido de término, hijo de madre sin antecedentes previos, sexo femenino, con marcadores inmunológicos positivos; nace con 3.280 gramos de peso, 40 semanas de edad gestacional, con lesiones en piel en el que el diagnóstico diferencial fue infección herpética, llegando al diagnóstico y logrando descartar de forma oportuna afectación sistémica, la que podría llegar a poner en riesgo la vida del neonato, con esta presentación de caso se concluye la importancia de agregar entre los diagnósticos diferenciales, el lupus eritematoso neonatal, entre los pacientes con lesión en piel incluso desde su nacimiento.

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is a rare disease, with an incidence of approximately 2% in newborns. Less than 5% of these babies will develop systemic lupus erythematosus in late adolescence or early adulthood. A case of a female term newborn is presented, born to a mother with an unremarkable previous history, with positive immunological markers; birth weight of 3,280 grams, 40 weeks gestational age, with skin lesions in which the differential diagnosis was herpetic infection. The diagnosis was made and systemic involvement was ruled out in a timely manner, which could have potentially endangered the life of the newborn. This case demonstrates the importance of adding neonatal lupus erythematosus to the differential diagnosis in patients with skin lesions at birth.

Permanent pacemaker implantation in complete congenital fetal atrioventricular (AV) block: a case report / Implantación de marcapasos permanente en bloqueo atrioventricular (AV) fetal congénito completo: reporte de caso

Abstract: One of the most common pathologies attributed to lupus neonatal refers to atrioventricular (AV) congenital block, which diagnosis can be made between 16 and 30 weeks of gestation due to persistent fetal bradycardia. The development of this disease is mostly related to maternal anti-Ro/SSA and anti-Smith autoantibodies. Currently, there are a number of alternatives for prenatal and postnatal treatment, with some controversy about their viability. The placement of a permanent pacemaker is presented as one of the most appropriate procedures currently, even with the risks awarded. This case report describes the placement of a permanent pacemaker to a two-month-old newborn with high maternal contents of anti-Ro/SSA and anti-Smith nuclear autoantibodies, with a favorable outcome.(AU)

Resumen: Una de las patologías más comunes atribuidas al lupus neonatal se refiere al bloqueo congénito atrioventricular (AV), diagnóstico que se puede realizar entre 16 y 30 semanas de gestación debido a bradicardia fetal persistente. El desarrollo de esta enfermedad se relaciona principalmente con los anticuerpos anti-Ro/SSA materno y anti-Smith. Actualmente, existen varias alternativas para el tratamiento prenatal y postnatal, con cierta controversia sobre su viabilidad. La colocación de un marcapasos permanente se presenta como uno de los procedimientos más adecuados actualmente, incluso con los riesgos adjudicados. Este relato de caso describe la colocación de un marcapasos permanente en un recién nacido de dos meses con alto contenido materno de autoanticuerpos anti-Ro/SSA y anti-Smith, con un resultado favorable.(AU)

Avaliação da estimulação ventricular direita crônica em crianças e adultos jovens com bloqueio atrioventricular congênito isolado / Evaluation of chronic right ventricular pacing in children and young adults with isolated congenital complete atrioventricular block

Introdução: O bloqueio atrioventricular congênito isolado (BAVCi) é raro e tem múltiplas apresentações clínicas. O implante de marca-passo cardíaco permanente (MP) é o tratamento de escolha, resultando em evolução clínica satisfatória para a maioria dos casos, porém, aproximadamente 10% deles apresentam remodelamento ventricular e insuficiência cardíaca grave. Objetivos: Estudar a evolução tardia de crianças e adultos jovens com BAVCi e estimulação crônica do ventrículo direito (VD), visando determinar: a prevalência de sinais clínicos e laboratoriais de insuficiência cardíaca e de remodelamento ventricular; a capacidade funcional; a qualidade de vida e fatores preditores de alterações clínicas, funcionais ou ecocardiográficas. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado em coorte de portadores de BAVCi e MP implantado antes de 21 anos de idade com estimulação no VD há mais de um ano. Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a avaliação clínica e laboratorial, da capacidade funcional, da qualidade de vida e a ecocardiograma. Mães e sujeitos da pesquisa foram investigados para doenças reumatológicas. Os dados foram armazenados no sistema REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) e analisados pelos programas SAS (Statistical Analysis System), SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) e R Studio. A análise dos dados incluiu: análise univariada para pesquisa de associações entre variáveis preditoras e desfechos, coeficiente de correlação de Pearson e modelo de regressão linear multivariado. Resultados: De março/2010 a dezembro/2013, foram avaliados 63 indivíduos, 68% do sexo feminino, com idade de 1 a 40 anos, com MP por 13,4 ± 6,5 anos e estimulação do VD por 10,0 ± 5,4 anos. O modo de estimulação era atrioventricular em 55,6%, o percentual de estimulação de VD de 97,9 ± 4,2% e a duração do complexo QRS estimulado de 152,4 ± 20,1 ms. A maioria (88,9%) era assintomática e não utilizava medicamentos de ação cardiovascular. Maior tempo de MP...

Introduction: Isolated congenital atrioventricular block (iCAVB) is a rare condition with multiple clinical presentations. Permanent cardiac pacing is the most effective therapy for this population resulting in satisfactory long-term outcomes. However, approximately 10% of patients may have ventricular remodeling and severe heart failure. Objectives: To study the long-term effects of chronic right ventricular (RV) pacing in children and young adults with iCAVB in order to determine: prevalence of clinical and laboratory signs of heart failure and ventricular remodeling, functional capacity, quality of life and predictors of clinical, functional or echocardiographic abnormalities. Methods: Cross-sectional study of a cohort of iCAVB patients with <= 21 years old at initial pacemaker (PM) implantation and single or dual-chamber pacing in a unique RV site for a minimum of one year. All subjects underwent clinical and laboratory assessment, functional capacity, quality of life and echocardiogram. Mothers and research subjects were investigated for rheumatic diseases. Data were stored in REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) system and analyzed by SAS (Statistical Analysis System), SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) and R Studio programs. Data analysis included: univariate analysis for associations between predictor variables and outcomes, Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression multivariate model. Results: Between March/2010 and December/2013, we evaluated 63 subjects aged 1-40 years old, 68% female, under PM for 13.4 ± 6.5 years and under RV pacing for 10.0 ± 5.4 years. Pacing mode was atrioventricular in 55.6%, percentage of RV pacing was 97.9 ± 4.2% and paced QRS duration was 152.4 ± 20.1 ms. Overall, the majority (88.9%) were asymptomatic and did not use cardiovascular drugs. Longer time under PM (P= 0.013), or even under RV pacing (P= 0.005), higher age at study inclusion (P= 0.032) and lower left ventricular...

Miocarditis y bloqueo aurículo-ventricular fetal asociado a lupus eritematoso sistémico materno / Myocarditis and atrioventricular block associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

El lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) es una de las patologías autoinmunes más frecuentes durante el embarazo, asociándose con distintas complicaciones fetales y neonatales, sobre todo cardíacas, secundario al traspaso de anticuerpos maternos a través de la placenta. Estos anticuerpos se unen a los cardiomioci-tos fetales, desencadenando una respuesta inflamatoria local que determina la aparición de lesiones que pueden ser permanentes y letales. Presentamos el caso de una paciente embarazada con LES, en la cual se observó en el feto la presencia de bloqueo aurículo-ventricular de primer grado y signos sugerentes de miocarditis. Estas complicaciones se caracterizan por un aumento en la morbimortalidad perinatal, por lo que las estrategias actuales están dirigidas a la detección precoz de éstas y también en la prevención de las mismas. Un tratamiento estándar aun es tema de investigación, pese a los reportes que muestran la efectividad de corticoides como la dexametasona. En embarazadas con anticuerpos anti-Ro positivo se recomienda efectuar ecocardiograma fetal seriados cada 1-2 semanas desde la semana 16, para detectar precozmente anomalías cardiacas sobre las cuales pudiese intervenirse.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the most common autoimmune disease during pregnancy, associated with various fetal and neonatal complications, especially heart disease, secondary to the transfer of maternal antibodies through the placenta. These antibodies bind to fetal cardiomyocytes, triggering a local inflammatory response that determines the appearance of lesions that may become permanent and deadly. We report a pregnant patient with SLE, in which was observed the presence of atrioventricular block of 1st degree and signs suggestive of myocarditis in the fetus. These complications are characterized by an increase in fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, so that current strategies are aimed at early detection of these and also in preventing them. A standard therapy for atrioventricular block is still matter of investigation, although corticosteroids like dexamethasone have been reported to be effective for associated cardiomyo-pathy. Serial echocardiograms and obstetric sonograms, performed at least every 1-2 weeks starting from the 16th week of gestational age, are recommended in anti-Ro/SSA-positive pregnant women to detect early fetal abnormalities that might be a target of preventive therapy.

Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico e gestação: série de casos com diferentes evoluções / Systemic lupus erythematosus and pregnancy: cases series with different evolution

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) é uma doença inflamatória crônica, caracterizada pela produção de autoanticorpos voltados contra antígenos nucleares e outros antígenos celulares, consistindo desta forma em desequilíbrio imunológico que afeta principalmente pacientes jovens do sexo feminino. A associação de lúpus e gravidez é frequente, o que contribui para o aparecimento de complicações durante a gestação. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar quatro casos de LES associados à gestação, buscando esclarecer os aspectos da doença e correlacionar os dados obtidos na literatura com o quadro apresentado pelas pacientes.RELATO DOS CASOS: São descritas quatro evoluções diferentes, sendo apresentado um caso de síndrome do anticorpo antifosfolípide, outro caso de síndrome do lúpus neonatal, outro de prematuridade e caso com evolução para óbito materno e fetal.CONCLUSÃO: Após correlacionar a literatura e os casos constataram-se a importância do acompanhamento e tratamento adequado das pacientes gestantes portadoras de LES, na tentativa de redução da morbimortalidade materna e fetal.(AU)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by production of auto antibodies against the nuclear antigens and other cellular antigens, with immune imbalance in this way that affects mainly young female patients. The association of lupus and pregnancy is common, which contributes to the appearance of complications during pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to report four cases of SLE associated with pregnancy, seeking to clarify aspects of the disease and correlate the data obtained in the research literature, to the table for patients.CASE REPORTS: We describe four different developments, and presented a case of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, one case of neonatal lupus syndrome, one case of prematurity and progression to death with maternal and fetal.CONCLUSION: After correlating the literature and the cases it was observed the importance of monitoring and appropriate treatment of pregnant patients suffering from SLE, in an attempt to reduce morbidity and maternal and fetal mortality.(AU)