Anti-RNP neonatal lupus in a female newborn

Abstract

We describe a case of neonatal lupus erythematosus in a term female infant who presented at birth with mild, scattered facial erythema and ice-pick lesions at lateral and superior borders of her face. These lesions then progressed to an erythematous raccoon-like mask following exposure to the sun. Initial blood work performed at four-months-old showed speckled anti-nuclear antibody titers of 1:320, with negative anti-Ro/SSA and La/SSB negative and a positive anti-RNP. The infant had no evidence of cardiac, haematological or hepatobilary involvement initially or throughout her course of evaluation. The patient’s mother was asymptomatic throughout the investigation of the infant but through blood work and evolvement of symptoms, she was diagnosed with mixed connective tissue disease.