Neonatal Lupus

Synonyms

• Congenital Lupus
• Congenital Lupus Erythematosus
• Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus
• Neonatal Lupus Syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Neonatal lupus is a rare autoimmune disorder that is present at birth (congenital). Affected infants often develop a characteristic red rash or skin eruption. In addition, infants with neonatal lupus may develop liver disease, a heart condition known as congenital heart block, and/or low numbers of circulating blood platelets that assist in blood clotting functions (thrombocytopenia). The symptoms associated with neonatal lupus, with the exception of congenital heart block, usually resolve within the first several months of life.

The exact cause of neonatal lupus is unknown, although researchers speculate that specific antibodies that travel from a pregnant woman to her developing fetus via the placenta play a significant role.

Neonatal lupus is not the infant form of lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) although the skin rash resembles the one associated with lupus. Neonatal lupus is a separate disorder.
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Resources

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe, MI 48021-2227
Tel: (586)776-3900
Fax: (586)776-3903
Tel: (800)598-4668
Email: aarda@aarda.org
Internet: http://www.aarda.org/

Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
2000 L Street NW
Suite 710
Washington, DC 20036
USA
Tel: 2023491155
Fax: 2023491156
Tel: 8005580121
Email: info@lupus.org
Internet: http://www.lupus.org

Lupus Canada
590 Alden Road
Suite 211
Markham
Ontario, L3R 8N2
Canada
Tel: 9055130004
Fax: 9055139516
Tel: 8006611468
Email: lupuscanada@bellnet.ca
Internet: http://www.lupuscanada.org

NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
31 Center Dr
Building 31, Room 2A32
MSC2425
Bethesda, MD 20892
Tel: (301)496-5133
Fax: (301)496-7101
Internet: http://www.nih.gov/hichd/

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 9/10/2004
Copyright 2000, 2003, 2004 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.