Neonatal rheumatic disorders. View of the pediatrician.

Neonatal lupus is a unique clinical entity characterized primarily by cutaneous or cardiac injury. Dermatitis usually resolves without significant residual effects but heart block may be irreversible and life threatening during the neonatal period. SS-A/Ro and/or SS-B/La antibodies of maternal origin are present in the serum of the mother and affected infant and are markers for this syndrome. For many mothers breast feeding is the preferred choice for infant nutrition. With proper guidance, lactating mothers may safely use several antirheumatic medications such as ibuprofen, piroxicam, flurbiprofen, diclofenac, mefenamic acid, prednisone, sulfasalazine, and methotrexate.