Congenital Herpes Flashcards
What is congenital herpes?
A rare but serious condition caused by vertical transmission of the herpes simplex virus from mother to newborn
What 3 different presentations of congenital herpes are there?
- Localised
- Disseminated
- CNS herpes
When do the majority of congenital herpes cases occur?
At birth when the baby comes into contact with the infected genital secretions in the birth canal
What percentage of congenital herpes cases are contracted at birth?
85%
Who most commonly pass the herpes simplex virus onto their children?
Mothers who have become newly exposed to the virus
What percentage of neonates with congenital herpes contract it in utero?
5%
What percentage of neonates with congenital herpes develop it postnatally?
10%
What are the maternal risk factors for congenital herpes?
- White race
- Young maternal age
- Primary infection in third trimester
- First pregnancy
- HSV seronegative
- Discordant partner
- Gestation <38 weeks
- Receptive oral sex in third trimester
What are the neonatal risk factors for developing congenital herpes?
- Black race
- Young maternal age
- Discordant partner
- Primary or non-primary first episode of infection in third trimester
- 4 or more lifetime sexual partners
- Lower level of education
- Previous history of STD
- History of pregnancy wastage
- First viable pregnancy
- Gestation <38 weeks
How does localised congenital herpes present?
External lesions but no internal organ involvement
Where are lesions likely to appear in localised congenital herpes?
Trauma sites e.g. from instruments used during delivery, margin of the eyes, and the nasopharynx
How does disseminated congenital herpes present?
Affects internal organs including the liver
What is CNS congenital herpes?
An infection of the brain and nervous system and can lead to encephalitis
How can CNS congenital herpes present?
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Lethargy
- Irritability
- Poor feeding
- Unstable temperatures
- Bulging fontanelle
How can congenital herpes be rapidly diagnosed?
By viral culture or HSV PCR
