{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Neonatal lupus erythematosus - prevention is better than cure.
{Author}: Liszewska A;Woźniacka A;
{Journal}: Postepy Dermatol Alergol
{Volume}: 39
{Issue}: 6
{Year}: Dec 2022
{Factor}: 1.664
{DOI}: 10.5114/ada.2022.122601
{Abstract}: Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is a congenital autoimmune condition in which the transplacental passage of immunoglobulin G (IgG) directed against auto-antigens causes clinical symptoms in the foetus or neonate. Anti-Ro/SS-A, anti-La/SS-B, and to a lesser extent, anti-U1RNP autoantibodies (aAbs) have the strongest association with NLE. However, ~ 50% of affected mothers are asymptomatic despite carrying those aAbs. The clinical picture of the disease is very diverse. Cardiac manifestations are the most severe, including congenital heart block (CHB), with a mortality rate of ~18%. Preventative therapy with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) reduces the recurrence rate of CHB in subsequent pregnancies by ~50%.