Serologic follow-up of children born to mothers with Ro/SSA autoantibodies.

Full Abstract

Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) develops in foetuses of mothers with Ro/SSA and La/SSB antibodies and may include foetal atrioventricular block and dermatologic manifestations. In this study, we investigated postnatal Ro and La IgG, IgA and IgM antibody levels up to 1 year of age in 32 children born to Ro/SSA positive mothers. Antibody levels were correlated with NLE manifestations, and the role of breast feeding in transfer of autoantibodies from mother to child was evaluated. Ro52, Ro60 and La IgG antibodies all transferred from the mothers to their foetus in utero and were present in the infant at birth as detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using recombinant antigens and a synthetic peptide. A significant decrease in Ro52, Ro60 and La IgG autoantibody levels of the infants was observed from birth to 4-5 weeks of age (P < 0.05, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). Ro- and La-specific IgA and IgM antibodies were detected in the serum from a subset of mothers. However, Ro- and La-specific IgA and IgM antibody levels were low or non-detectable in children raised both with and without breastfeeding. Furthermore, NLE skin lesions developed independently of breastfeeding. Our findings support a role for placental materno-foetal transfer of IgG autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of NLE and indicate that refraining from breastfeeding does not protect from NLE skin involvement.

Author information

Author/s: Klauninger, R (R); Skog, A (A); Horvath, L (L); Winqvist, O (O); Edner, A (A); Bremme, K (K); Sonesson, S E (SE); Wahren-Herlenius, Marie (M);

Affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Lupus (Lupus), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Aug; vol 18 (issue 9) : pp 792-8

Dates: Created 2009/07/06; Completed 2009/10/22;

PMID: 19578103, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 10/22/2009)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Immunoglobulin M - blood
Infant
Infant, Newborn - blood; immunology
Infant, Newborn, Diseases - blood; etiology; immunology
Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous - blood; etiology; immunology
Maternal-Fetal Exchange - immunology
Pregnancy - blood; immunology
Pregnancy Complications - immunology
Prospective Studies
Ribonucleoproteins - immunology

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

Associated Chemicals: Autoantibodies (0) ; Autoantigens (0) ; Immunoglobulin A (0) ; Immunoglobulin G (0) ; Immunoglobulin M (0) ; Ribonucleoproteins (0) ; SS-A antigen (0) ; SS-B antigen (0)

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