New Manifestations of the Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus Syndrome

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which pathogenic anti-Ro autoantibodies are transferred across the placenta. When the NLE syndrome was first described, the manifestations were cutaneous and cardiac disease. After several years, it became evident that hematologic and hepatic disease also occurred in these patients. Recently, isolated cases of NLE affecting the central nervous system have been reported. Among the neurologic manifestations described in the literature is hydrocephalus.

To determine the prevalence of hydrocephalus and macrocephaly in the NLE syndrome, investigators reviewed a cohort of 87 neonates born to 75 mothers with anti-Ro antibodies. Of these infants, 47 had NLE. Seven infants (8%) …