Neonatal lupus complicated by hemorrhagic stroke

Abstract

Neonatal lupus is a passively acquired autoimmune syndrome resulting from the transplacental passage of maternal anti-Ro/SSA and/or anti-La/SSB antibodies to the fetus. Few past studies have reported central nervous system involvement in neonatal lupus, and most cases had a good neurological outcome. We report here a preterm case of neonatal lupus with thrombocytopenia and comorbid hemorrhagic stroke. In the follow-up, the infant developed spastic quadriplegia and showed delayed milestones. We believe that this is the first reported case of neonatal lupus accompanied by perinatal hemorrhagic stroke. We present this case to remind clinicians to conduct regular central nervous system surveys in cases of neonatal lupus.