Neonatal lupus erythematosus

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (pronunciation: nee-oh-NAY-tuhl LOO-pus er-uh-THEE-muh-toh-sus) is a rare condition that affects infants of mothers with certain autoimmune diseases.

Etymology

The term "neonatal" is derived from the Greek words "neos" (new) and "natal" (birth), referring to the newborn period. "Lupus" is Latin for "wolf", a term used historically to describe erosive facial lesions that were thought to resemble a wolf's bite. "Erythematosus" comes from the Greek "erythros" (red), referring to the red rash often seen in lupus.

Definition

Neonatal lupus erythematosus is a condition that affects newborns and is caused by maternal autoantibodies against Ro/SSA and La/SSB. This condition is not true lupus, which is a chronic autoimmune disease, but it shares similar symptoms.

Symptoms

The symptoms of neonatal lupus erythematosus can include skin rash, liver problems, and low blood cell counts. These symptoms usually disappear completely after six months with no lasting effects. However, in some cases, the condition can cause a serious heart condition known as congenital heart block.

Related Terms

• Autoimmune disease
• Autoantibodies
• Congenital heart block
• Lupus

See Also

• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
• Discoid lupus erythematosus

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Neonatal lupus erythematosus
• Wikipedia's article - Neonatal lupus erythematosus

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