Neonatal Herpes Simplex Infection

Maternal genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection; asymptomatic in 70% of cases. Newborn babies usually catch the infection from maternal birth tract during delivery. Neonatal herpes simplex infection is a highly morbid and fatal dreadful infection. Though there have been great advances in diagnosis and management of this neonatal infection in last 3 decades, its morbidity continues to be high due to greater lag-time between symptoms and diagnosis. This delay is due to its non-specific presentation and lack of adequate awareness about the disease amongst the practising physicians. A high level of clinical suspicion is vital for early treatment initiation and better outcomes. Maternal education on safe sex practices, selective and elective caesarean surgery and prophylactic acyclovir for recurrent maternal herpes would diminish transmission and disease in newborn.