title: Preventing herpes simplex virus in the newborn.
abstract: Genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are very common worldwide. Approximately 22% of pregnant women are infected genitally with HSV, and most of them are unaware of this. The most devastating consequence of maternal genital herpes is HSV disease in the newborn. Although neonatal HSV infections remain uncommon, due to the significant morbidity and mortality associated with the infection, HSV infection in the newborn is often considered in the differential diagnosis of ill neonates. This review summarizes the epidemiology and management of neonatal HSV infections and discusses strategies to prevent HSV infection in the newborn.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 Seventh Avenue South, CHB 308, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
authors.forename: Swetha G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Pinninti
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 Seventh Avenue South, CHB 303, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA. Electronic address: dkimberlin@peds.uab.edu.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kimberlin
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral
keywords: Acyclovir; Antiviral therapy; Genital herpes; HSV; PCR