Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9554
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2155-9554
+44 1478 350008
Sung Yul Lee, Ji Hoon Sim, Young Lip Park and Kyu Uang Whang
Background: Neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) is an autoimmune disease associated with maternal anti-SS-A/ Ro and anti-SS-B/La antibodies and characterized by cutaneous erythema, congenital heart block (CHB), hepatic dysfunction, and hematological abnormalities.
Aim: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of cases of NLE among South Koreans by analysis of data reported in the literature and in the medical records of 1 NLE patient at our hospital and compare them to the clinical characteristics of NLE among Caucasians, as reported in the literature.
Methods: The clinical data regarding 1 patient diagnosed with NLE at our hospital and those of 19 patients diagnosed with NLE at other South Korean hospitals between 1993 and 2010 were reviewed and analyzed before being compared with those regarding Caucasians diagnosed with NLE, as reported in the literature.
Results: Regarding onset of manifestation, 80% of NLE patients in South Korea began to display clinical characteristics of NLE within 4 weeks of diagnosis. Regarding the form of clinical manifestation, 80% manifested skin abnormality; 25%, CHB; 35%, hematologic abnormality; and 25%, transient elevated transaminase level. These percentages were comparable to those reported for Caucasian NLE cases. Whereas the literature indicates a female predominance in NLE incidence among Caucasians, analysis of the study data indicates a male predominance in NLE incidence among South Koreans.
Conclusions: Other than that for CHB, the incidence of each form of NLE manifestation is relatively similar for South Korean and Caucasian NLE cases. The major difference between the incidence of NLE between South Koreans and Caucasians concerns the male:female ratio, which appears higher for South Koreans, and to indicate a male predominance in NLE incidence among South Koreans.