Non-immune hydrops fetalis caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 in the setting of recurrent maternal infection

J Perinatol. 2013 Oct;33(10):817-20. doi: 10.1038/jp.2013.68.

Abstract

We report a case of non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in an infant whose mother had recurrent HSV-2 infection. In spite of prematurity, severe disseminated infection and hydrops, the infant survived and was neurologically intact. HSV-2-induced NIHF is extremely rare, particularly in the setting of recurrent maternal infection, and this case is, to our knowledge, the first report of a surviving infant. HSV-2 should be considered in the differential diagnosis of NIHF and early initiation of empiric acyclovir therapy is recommended in this setting, pending the results of virologic diagnostic tests.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Extraembryonic Membranes / pathology
  • Female
  • Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture / virology
  • Herpes Genitalis / complications*
  • Humans
  • Hydrops Fetalis / drug therapy
  • Hydrops Fetalis / virology*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / drug therapy
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / therapy
  • Infant, Premature, Diseases / virology*
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology*
  • Recurrence
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Acyclovir