Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection

This case report describes a premature infant delivered at 32 weeks’ gestation with vesicular skin lesions caused by neonatal herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. The mother had no prior history of HSV-1 but tested positive postpartum via endocervical PCR, suggesting a primary maternal infection leading to ascending intrauterine transmission. The infant’s infection was confined to the skin, eyes, and mucosa, with no systemic involvement. Treatment with acyclovir was initiated, and at 2 year follow up, the child showed no recurrences and normal development. The case highlights the importance of considering HSV infection in neonates with vesicular lesions, even without maternal symptoms, and underscores the potential for intrauterine transmission following prolonged rupture of membranes.

This case report describes a premature infant delivered at 32 weeks’ gestation with vesicular skin lesions caused by neonatal herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. The mother had no prior history of HSV-1 but tested positive postpartum via endocervical PCR, suggesting a primary maternal infection leading to ascending intrauterine transmission. The infant’s infection was confined to the skin, eyes, and mucosa, with no systemic involvement. Treatment with acyclovir was initiated, and at 2 year follow up, the child showed no recurrences and normal development. The case highlights the importance of considering HSV infection in neonates with vesicular lesions, even without maternal symptoms, and underscores the potential for intrauterine transmission following prolonged rupture of membranes.