Birth acquired herpes
Key points
- Birth acquired herpes is an infection with the herpes virus that an infant acquires at the time of birth.
- Newborn infants can become infected with herpes virus while in the uterus (intrauterine herpes), during passage through the birth canal (birth acquired herpes, the most common method of infection), or in the period immediately following birth (postpartum).
- A very ill baby may develop signs of shock, bleeding, seizures, or other signs listed above.
- Herpes virus infections in infants are generally treated with intravenous medications.
Alternative names
HSV; Congenital herpes; Herpes - congenital
Definition
Birth acquired herpes is an infection with the herpes virus that an infant acquires at the time of birth.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Newborn infants can become infected with herpes virus while in the uterus (intrauterine herpes), during passage through the birth canal (birth acquired herpes, the most common method of infection), or in the period immediately following birth (postpartum).
If the mother has an active genital herpes infection at the time of delivery, the infant is more likely to become infected during the birthing process. However, it is possible for a mother with a primary (first-time) herpes infection to transmit the virus to a child during birth. In addition, some people have had herpes infections in the past, but have not been diagnosed or treated. These people, not knowing that they have it themselves, may pass herpes on to their child. Herpes type 2 (genital herpes) is the most common cause of herpes infection in newborn babies, but herpes type 1 can also occur.
Intrauterine herpes is very rare. It can cause severe brain damage, eye disease, such as inflammation of the retina (chorioretinitis), and skin lesions.
Birth acquired herpes can produce localized or systemic disease. Infants may develop only a localized skin infection consisting of small fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) that rupture, crust over, and finally heal, often leaving a mild scar.
A second type of birth acquired herpes infection leads to encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that can result in seizures and later neurologic problems. If untreated, it may lead to death.
The third type of infection, disseminated herpes infection, is the most dangerous. In this type, the herpes virus can affect many different internal organs including the liver, lungs, kidneys, and brain. There may or may not be vesicles on the skin. This type of infection is frequently fatal.
Herpes acquired in the period shortly after birth behaves similarly to birth acquired herpes.
Symptoms
The baby may exhibit:
- Poor feeding
- Stress or anxiety
- Skin lesions, fluid filled blisters
- Breathing difficulties
o Grunting
o Flaring of the nostrils
o Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
o Short periods without breathing (apneic episodes)
o Blue appearance (cyanosis)
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
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