Cutaneous Presentation in Neonatal Lupus, Don’t Miss Anything!

Abstract

Background: Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is a rare autoimmune condition resulting from the transplacental transfer of maternal autoantibodies, primarily anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La. The disease can manifest with cutaneous, cardiac, hematologic, and hepatobiliary involvement, with variable prognosis depending on the affected systems. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 4-month-old female infant who developed erythematous, scaly annular patches on the face, scalp, trunk, and folds. The lesions were asymptomatic and had been present for a month. The infant's mother had a history of systemic lupus erythematosus treated with corticosteroids and hydroxychloroquine. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies, while cardiac evaluations were unremarkable. The diagnosis of NLE was established. The skin lesions improved with topical corticosteroids and strict sun protection. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of considering NLE in infants presenting with annular cutaneous lesions, especially in the context of maternal autoimmune disease. Early diagnosis, multidisciplinary management, and close monitoring are crucial to prevent complications, particularly cardiac involvement, which significantly affects prognosis.