Transplacental Inoculation of Fatal Herpes Simplex in the Newborn

Abstract

Fatal herpes simplex and transplacental inoculation of the virus were demonstrated in 2 patients. In one, the virus was isolated from cord blood and placenta at birth. Because of this, cesarean section would not have helped to lessen the morbidity of the disease in the newborn. Gamma globulin given during a 10 day period proved to be effective in lessening the disease in one of the patients presented.