Herpes simplex virus infections in the neonatal period

Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections occur relatively infrequently. The significant mortality and morbidity associated with neonatal HSV disease, however, support the need for continual awareness of this potentially devastating illness. Tremendous strides have been made in the management of neonatal HSV disease over the past 3 decades, with the use of high-dose acyclovir reducing mortality to the lowest rates ever. Furthermore, use of polymerase chain reaction testing has greatly simplified the diagnosis of CNS involvement. Much less encouraging is the fact that the overall time between onset of symptoms and initiation of antiviral therapy has remained unchanged over the past 2 decades. Thus, at this juncture, reasons for optimism and for renewed dedication to continued improvement exist simultaneously.