Possible discoid lupus erythematosus in newborn infant. Report of a case with subsequent development of acute systemic lupus erythematosus in mother.

Cases of a newborn infant with an eruption clinically and histologically consistent with lupus erythematosus and of his mother developing acute disseminate lupus erythematosus 11 months after delivery are presented. It is urged that in the future in cases of death of a fetus of a mother who has lupus erythematosus of any type or who gives a history of this disease, the fetus be examined for stigmata of lupus erythematosus. The possibility of a transmittable etiological agent of lupus erythematosus from mother to fetus is suggested.