Publication at Second Faculty of Medicine |
2008
Abstract
Neonatal lupus syndrome represents a model of passively acquired autoimmunity caused by specific maternal autoantibodies anti-SSA/Ro a anti-SSB/La, which cross the placenta and are associated with the development of congenital heart block in the fetus and/or a transient rash or various liver and blood cell abnormalites in the newborn. Complete form of congenital heart block is a permanent condition that entails significant morbidity, with nearly all affected infants requiring pacemakers.
Perinatal mortality may aprroach up to 20 %. An intensive search is therefore ongoing for the specific etiopathophysiology and for diagnostic markers to approach and treat this disease.