Neonatal herpes simplex infection. Role of genital infection in mother as the source of virus in the newborn

Abstract

Disseminated herpetic infection occurred in a newborn infant girl, delivered by cesarean section, who survived after a stormy course. The source of her infection was found to be her mother who had a lesion of the cervix resembling invasive cervical carcinoma. Viral and serological studies confirmed the presence inboth mother and infant of a primary infection with herpes simplex virus. The genital tract of mothers of infants with suspected herpetic infection should be studied carefully to ascertain a likely source of neonatal infection. Cesarean section should be considered in preg riant women with primary herpetic genital infections close to delivery, particularly If the membranes are still intact.