A 10-year retrospective study of neonatal lupus erythematous in China

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. Objectives: 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 (WIG), 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. WIG 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.