Neonatal herpes simplex pneumonia: radiographic findings

The radiologic findings in the lungs of 16 hospitalized neonates with disseminated herpes simplex infection were retrospectively reviewed. A sequential picture was devised of four stages in the evolution of the pneumonitis of this hematogenous infection. The radiologic stages were: Stage I, normal chest; Stage II, prominent perihilar interstitial markings; Stage III, coalescent areas of pulmonary infiltrates; and Stage IV, diffuse alveolar and interstitial disease ("white-out" lungs). In general, the pulmonary abnormalities were widespread and without air trapping. Pleural effusions were noted in one case. All affected neonates died and antemortem clinical and radiological findings were correlated with multiple-organ postmortem histopathologic evidence of viral infection, especially with the associated pneumonia.