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$Unique_ID{BRK03819}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Herpes, Neonatal}
$Subject{Herpes Neonatal Herpes Simplex Infection of Newborn Herpesvirus
Hominis Infection of Newborn }
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1987, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
353:
Herpes, Neonatal
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Neonatal Herpes) is not the
name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the alternate
names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Herpes Simplex Infection of Newborn
Herpesvirus Hominis Infection of Newborn
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Neonatal Herpes is a very rare disorder affecting newborn infants
infected with the Herpes simplex virus (HSV), also called Herpesvirus
hominis. This disorder can vary from mild to severe. In most cases the
disorder is transferred by a parent with oral or genital herpes to an
offspring before, during, or shortly after birth.
In the mild form, Neonatal Herpes is caused by type 2 virus. The skin,
eyes, and mouth may become infected, and symptoms may recur for some time.
In its severe form, which is caused by type 1 virus, Neonatal Herpes is a
serious disease characterized by blistery (vesicular) red lesions of the skin
and mucous membranes. Liver, spleen, lungs, brain, kidneys, and adrenal
glands may also become infected.
Symptoms
The mild form of Neonatal Herpes is usually present at birth. It consists of
red skin lesions which are flat and not blistery. Eyes and mouth may also be
infected, and fever may occur. This form of the disorder may recur during
infancy until the child develops antibodies against the virus, usually by one
year of age.
Onset of the severe form of Neonatal Herpes is usually between the 5th
and the 9th day of life. Clustered blistery lesions occur on the skin and
mucous membranes, and appetite decreases. Infection of the cornea and the
inside of the eyelids (keratoconjunctivitis) is also possible. Ulcerations
may appear on the soft palate or the esophagus.
The infection may spread to the lungs and cause difficulty breathing
(dyspnea). Enlargement of liver and spleen may occur, usually accompanied by
jaundice. The temperature of the infant may fluctuate. Lethargy, a reduced
muscle tone (hypotonia), and blood coagulation inside the blood vessels are
other signs of the more serious form of Neonatal Herpes. The adrenal glands
and the kidneys may also be affected. Convulsions and other signs of Central
Nervous System involvement may also occur.
Causes
Neonatal Herpes is caused by an infection of the newborn by the Herpes
simplex virus, also called Herpesvirus hominis. The milder form of the
disorder is caused by type 2 virus, which is present in the birth canal when
the mother has a genital herpes infection. The more severe form is caused by
type 1 Herpes simplex virus.
The more severe form of Neonatal Herpes occurs less frequently than the
milder form and may also be a consequence of maternal genital herpes
infection. It is also possible that infection takes place in the uterus
during pregnancy. A mother who does not have symptoms of a herpes infection
may breast-feed an infant with milk that contains the herpes virus, thus
infecting the infant. An attendant at the birthing process may also transfer
his or her infection to the newborn child if sterile precautions are not
adequate.
Neonatal Herpes may also affect babies with immune system deficiencies.
Affected Population
Neonatal Herpes is a very rare disorder. It affects about 1 in 5,000 to
7,500 live births. During their first year of life, these infants usually
develop antibodies against the Herpes virus. Only malnourished infants,
those with an impaired immune system, or otherwise weakened infants tend to
carry the infection after one year.
Infants born to a mother with a first time Herpes infection late in her
pregnancy are at higher risk to develop Neonatal Herpes than infants of
mothers with recurrent Herpes infection. In the first case the mother has
not yet developed antibodies against the virus which would ordinarily protect
her baby.
Therapies: Standard
When a mother shows signs of a genital Herpes infection, delivery by cesarian
section is advised.
It is important to notify the physician when a pregnant woman or her
sexual partner are carrying Herpes virus, because the baby might become
infected with the virus during the birth process. A culture of baby and
mother may be done at birth. If tests are positive, treatment of the virus
can be started immediately after birth.
Vidarabine (Ara-A, Vira-A), and acyclovir (Zovirax) are the drugs most
commonly used to treat herpes virus infections. If treatment is started
early enough, the disorder usually remains restricted to the skin, eyes, and
mucous membranes, and does not progress to the more serious form of the
disorder.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
September 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Neonatal Herpes, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
1600 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3534
NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5717
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
(914) 428-7100
Alliance of Genetic Support Groups
35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(800) 336-GENE
(301) 652-5553
References
HERPES AND PREGNANCY: John H. Grossman, and Susan Hilbert; The Helper,
Herpes Resource Center (Fall 1985). Pp. 1-5.
RESEARCH UPDATE, NEONATAL HERPES: Ann Arvin, and Charles Prober; The
Helper, Herpes Resource Center (Summer 1986). Pp. 1-5.