title: Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection.
abstract: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and HSV-2 infections are highly prevalent worldwide and are characterized by establishing lifelong infection with periods of latency interspersed with periodic episodes of reactivation. Acquisition of HSV by an infant during the peripartum or postpartum period results in neonatal HSV disease, a rare but significant infection that can be associated with severe morbidity and mortality, especially if there is dissemination or central nervous system involvement. Diagnostic and therapeutic advances have led to improvements in mortality and, to a lesser extent, neurodevelopmental outcomes, but room exists for further improvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children's Harbor Building 308, 1600 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233-1711, USA.
authors.forename: Scott H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: James
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children's Harbor Building 303, 1600 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233-1711, USA. Electronic address: dkimberlin@peds.uab.edu.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kimberlin
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Antiviral therapy; Genital herpes; Herpes simplex virus; Mother-to-child transmission; Neonatal herpes