title: [A neonate with acute liver failure caused by herpes simplex infection].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  (HSV) infection in neonates is rare. This infection is generally considered when there is a history of contact with a person who has a cold sore or when the mother has active genital herpes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 7-day-old female was admitted to hospital on suspicion of sepsis. Aciclovir was considered, but ultimately not given due to low suspicion of herpes infection. Her clinical situation deteriorated within a couple of days. Due to the advanced liver damage, the disease had a fulminant course and the patient died.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even without evidence of contact with HSV in the history, it is important to start acyclovir early in neonates with fever of unknown origin. A rare clinical presentation is acute liver failure. HSV infection can run a serious course in neonates; therefore, aciclovir should be started immediately if there is any suspicion.
authors.affiliation: Amalia kindercentrum, afd. Neonatologie, Zwolle.
authors.forename: Tessa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pols
authors.forename: Jaco G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: van den Hoek
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: van Lingen
mesh_terms: D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000175:diagnosis