Untreated HSV Leading to Neonatal Death
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46570/utjms-2024-852Keywords:
neonatal sepsis, HSV sepsis, neonatal death, post-partum HSVAbstract
We discuss a case of a 10-day-old infant who presented in fulminant early-onset sepsis due to HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus), the patient ultimately succumbed to illness due to septic shock. The patient’s mother received a diagnosis of HSV in the days following delivery. However, without a system in place to connect a maternal diagnosis to the infant, the baby was not treated empirically. We discuss the early signs and symptoms of neonatal sepsis, including those that were present in this patient. Further emphasis is placed on
the importance of early detection and prompt treatment of HSV sepsis due to the high mortality rate of the disease, including the potential need for a notification system to inform pediatricians and family practitioners about maternal post-partum diagnoses.
References
(1) Anzivino, E., Fioriti, D., Mischitelli, M. et al. Herpes simplex virus infection in pregnancy
and in neonate: status of art of epidemiology, diagnosis, therapy and prevention. Virol J, 2009. 6, 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-422X-6-40
(2) Straface, G., Selmin, A., Zanardo, V., De Santis, M., Ercoli, A., Scambia, G. Herpes
Simplex Virus Infection in Pregnancy. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol, 2012.
1155/2012/385697
(3) Shane, A., Sanchez, P., Stoll, B. Neonatal Sepsis. Lancet, 2017. 390: 1770-1780.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31002-4
(4) Bachtiar, K., Oswari, H., Batubara, J., Amir, I., Latief, A., Firman, K. Cholestasis sepsis
at neonatology ward and neonatal ICU Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital 2007: incidence, mortality rate, and associated risk factors. Cholestasis sepsis in neonates, 2008. 17(2): 107-113.
(5) Mahmud, S., Sarma, M., Darma, A., Ahmed, S. Neonatal Cholestasis: An Update.
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2021. 12(2): 54-66.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Meghan Sawyer, Dr. Sharon Thomas (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).