Neonatal lupus is linked to the presence of anti-Ro/SS-A and anti-La/SS-B antibodies in the mother, although other factors probably of fetal origin are important.
Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is an inflammatory syndrome in the fetus or neonate associated with the presence of anti-Ro(SSA) and anti-La(SSB) antibodies in the mother.
Thus, a mother with positive anti-SSA and SSB antibodies can give birth to one infant with and one infant without or have two infants with neonatal lupus erythematosus.
Since these antibodies may have a pathogenetic role in NLE, screening of infants with isolated CHB and/or cutaneous lesions suggestive of LE, and their mothers, for the presence of Ro(SSA) and La(SSB) antibodies is strongly recommended.