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Epidemiology, etiology, detection, and treatment of autoantibody-associated congenital heart block in neonatal lupus

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Abstract

Neonatal lupus syndrome is a model of passively acquired autoimmunity in which the pregnant woman’s serum contains specific antibodies to 52 or 60 kd SSA/Ro and/or 48 kd 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 abnormalities in the newborn. To date, congenital heart block is a permanent condition that entails significant morbidity and mortality, with nearly all affected infants requiring pacemakers and with an 80% cumulative probability of survival at 3 years of age. An intensive search is on for the specific etiopathophysiology and for new clinical tools to approach and treat this disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New York University School of Medicine, 560 First Avenue, TCH-407, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Jill P. Buyon MD

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  1. Deborah M. Friedman MD
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  2. Ann Rupel BA
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  3. Jill P. Buyon MD
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Correspondence to Jill P. Buyon MD.

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Friedman, D.M., Rupel, A. & Buyon, J.P. Epidemiology, etiology, detection, and treatment of autoantibody-associated congenital heart block in neonatal lupus. Curr Rheumatol Rep 9, 101–108 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11926-007-0003-4

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