Herpes Simplex Virus in the Neonate

Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) disease is a serious, life-threatening condition that should be considered in neonates with fever, vesicular rash, culture negative sepsis, and/or seizure activity. Because signs and symptoms of neonatal HSV may closely resemble those of bacterial sepsis, a thorough history and appropriate testing are imperative to accurately confirm the diagnosis. Failure to treat vesicular lesions from HSV in the neonate leads to an approximate 75% chance of progression to disseminated disease and/or meningoencephalitis. Therefore, prompt recognition of symptoms and institution of treatment pending results of the investigation are imperative to minimize the high rates of morbidity and mortality associated with this diagnosis. [Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(2):e42-e46.].