About this Research Topic

Background

Worldwide, approximately 0.5-1% of women of childbearing age are positive for anti-Ro/SSA antibodies and anti-La/SSB. The presence of these antibodies may be responsible for the appearance of Lupus Neonatal. The pathogenesis of this disease is probably mediated by the pathogenic binding of these antibodies to fetal myocardiocytes.

The typical manifestation is atrioventricular block (AVB), which in most cases is complete (CHB). AVB commonly develops between 16 and 26 weeks of gestation and is the cause of severe heart failure. CHB appears to be irreversible, but anecdotal reports suggest that treatment of second-degree AVB can restore sinus rhythm. Extranodal diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy, valvular regurgitation, and endocardial fibroelastosis could be associated with AVB. Few data are available on risk stratification based on antibody levels.

At present there is a substantial lack of data regarding several aspects of NL:
- Precise correlation with maternal autoAb titer and specificity
- Prevention strategies
- Comorbidities and growth of newborns affected by NL

Additionally, it would prove extremely useful for the scientific community to gather data regarding :
- Incidence of NL
- Epidemiology of various aspects of NL
- Correlation between incidence and severity of NL and maternal AutoAb titer/specificity
- Possible prevention strategies in NL
- Estimation of effects of hydroxychloroquine in the prevention of NL
- Ethnic differences in NL
- Evolution of newborns affected by NL in terms of growth, development of comorbidities, and survival.

We hope that the contributions to this Research Topic will accelerate this progress and be a record of the transition to much better outcomes of pregnancy for SLE affected and Sjogren Syndrome affected patients.

This Research Topic aims to produce, organize and make available to the scientific community data regarding all these different aspects of Neonatal Lupus, fetal and congenital atrioventricular block, and the possibilities of an early therapeutic approach, both preventive and interventional, once an atrioventricular block has developed at the fetal or neonatal level.

This Research Topic will accept all scientific contributions in the form of these article types- Original Research, Reviews, Methods, Opinion, Case reports, and Mini-reviews.

This initiative is led and edited by Guest Editors Dr. Angela Mauro, Dr. Emanuele Bizzi, and Dr. Gaelle Guettrot Imbert and will focus on recent advances, current challenges, and future perspectives in the field.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Neonatal Lupus, Congenital heart block, newborns, SLE, Sjogren, Anti SSA

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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