pediatrics
Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection
Key Points
Neonatal herpes may be localized to the skin, eyes, or mouth, the central nervous system, or may be disseminated. Encephalitis and disseminated disease have a high mortality rate, and neurologic sequelae are common among survivors. In suspected cases, presumptive therapy and rapid diagnosis by HSV PCR of cerebrospinal fluid, blood, or lesions are essential to optimize outcomes. Give parenteralacyclovirfor both localized and disseminated disease. Do cesarean delivery if the mother has active genital herpes lesions present at term. 