How Common Is Herpes Infection in Hospitalized Neonates?

Herpes simplex infection is rare in hospitalized neonates, but the presence of certain clues should prompt suspicion.

Ill neonates who present with no obvious focus of infection are usually hospitalized and treated empirically with antibiotics because of the possibility of serious bacterial illness. Is the likelihood of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in such infants great enough that some should receive acyclovir empirically?

Researchers at a large children’s hospital in Texas recently reviewed their experience to determine the prevalence of HSV in neonates. They analyzed the records of all infants aged ≤28 days who were admitted to their institution after emergency department evaluation between 2001 and 2005. Infants were classified as having HSV infection if HSV was detected in any tissue or body fluid by culture, PCR, or immunofluorescence assay.

Of…

Reviewing Author

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

How Common Is Herpes Infection in Hospitalized Neonates?

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Reviewing Author