Coexistence of annular polycyclic, morpheaform and atrophic lesions in neonatal lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) occurs due to transplacental transfer of autoantibodies in newborns of mothers with clinical or subclinical collagen vascular diseases. Anti-Ro/SSA antibodies are strongly associated with NLE. Anti-La/SSB and anti-U1 -RNP antibodies are less frequent. Cutaneous and cardiac manifestations are prominent of NLE. Nearly half of the cases show either cutaneous or cardiac features, and 10% show both. Skin lesions may be congenital or develop within 12–16 weeks postpartum. Commonly, the lesions are characterised by erythematous scaly papules or plaques with annular or polycyclic configuration principally affecting the face and scalp, followed by the trunk and extremities. Characteristic periorbital involvement is described as ‘raccoon eyes’ sign.