High-risk groups of Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus in term infants: a birth cohort study

Abstract Purpose: This study aims to analyse the clinical characteristics and risk factors of high-risk groups of neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) in term infants. Methods: The high-risk groups of NLE whose mothers were positive of anti-SSA, SSB or U1RNP antibodies during pregnancy were enrolled. They were born from February 2013 to February 2020, with a gestational age not less than 37 weeks. We analyzed their clinical data from birth to 24 months after birth. Results: A total number of 105 cases of NLE high-risk groups were included. Among them, 30 cases were diagnosed with NLE (NLE group) and 75 cases were not (non-NLE group). The affected systems of the NLE group included dermal (13.3%), hepatic (76.0%), and hematological system (43.3%). Hepatic involvement, anemia and thrombocytopenia could not emerge until 60 days, 41 days and 22 days after birth in some cases. The systems involvement could be cured within 3 to 12 months after birth. The clearance time of specific autoantibodies was 12 months after birth. There was no significant difference in clinical characteristics of babies and their mothers between the two groups, neither of the positive rate or clearance time of specific autoantibodies. Conclusion: After standardized prenatal health care, there is still a high risk of dermal, hepatic, or hematological system involvement for high-risk groups of NLE. There are no specific indicators to predict whether the babies will develop to NLE or not. All of them need to be followed up closely within one year after birth.