Congenital HSV

From IDWiki

Background

  • Occurs in children born to mothers who had primary HSV-1 or HSV-2 during pregnancy

Clinical Manifestations

  • Characterized by microcephaly, hydrocephalus, chorioretinitis, and skin findings
    • Rash may be vesicular, bullous, or cicatricial
    • Rash either present at birth or within a few days
    • Two thirds have severe CNS involvement

Diagnosis

  • Most commonly made with PCR of lesions or CSF
    • Do not send superficial swabs for PCR during the first 24 hours of life, since this can generate false positive from superficial contamination from the birthing process