Neonatal lupus erythematosus

A. T. Lane and R. M. Watson

Three infants with neonatal lupus erythematosus (LE) had characteristic sharply marginated erythematous papules and plaques without congenital heart block. Two of the infants were definitely photosensitive, while the third infant's eruption began on a photoexposed area. All three infants and their mothers were positive for Ro Sjogren's syndrome A antigen (SSA) antibody. These three infants have additional evidence supporting the concept that transplacental passage of Ro (SSA) antibody is a serologic marker for neonatal LE.