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Childhood herpes zoster.
A J Papadopoulos1, A P Birnkrant, R A Schwartz
1New Jersey Medical School, 185 S Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103-2714, USA.
Cutis
|August 2, 2001
Summary
Childhood herpes zoster (HZ), a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), is uncommon. It occurs more often in healthy children infected with VZV early in life, as seen in our 6-year-old patient exposed at 3 months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Herpes zoster (HZ) is a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
- HZ in childhood is typically uncommon in healthy populations.
- VZV establishes latency in sensory ganglia after primary infection.
Observation:
- The patient experienced primary VZV exposure at 3 months of age via siblings.
- The patient developed HZ at 6 years of age.
- This case highlights an unusual presentation of VZV reactivation in a pediatric patient.
Findings:
- Early-life VZV infection (in utero or within the first year) is associated with increased frequency of HZ.
- HZ can manifest in healthy children following early VZV exposure.
- The patient's history exemplifies the link between early VZV acquisition and later HZ development.
Implications:
- Understanding early VZV infection timing is crucial for pediatric HZ risk assessment.
- This case underscores the importance of considering VZV reactivation in pediatric HZ diagnoses.
- Further research into pediatric VZV latency and reactivation patterns is warranted.