Neonatal herpes simplex

High Yield Notes

15 pages

Flashcards

Neonatal herpes simplex

of complete

Questions

USMLE® Step 1 style questions USMLE

of complete

A 6-day-old male infant is brought to the emergency department after an episode of generalized seizure. He has also experienced lethargy and poor feeding. The mother had limited access to prenatal care. The patient was delivered at home by a midwife. During the third trimester of pregnancy, the mother developed multiple painful genital lesions that persisted until labor. Temperature is 40.1°C (104.2°F), blood pressure is 70/50 mmHg, pulse is 140/min, and respiratory rate is 37/min. Weight is at the 20th percentile, and head circumference is at the 40th percentile. The anterior fontanelle is open, and facial features appear normal. Ulcerative lesions are present over the tongue and oral mucosa. Examination of the skin is shown below. A lumbar puncture is performed, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis is notable for mononuclear pleocytosis and an elevated protein level. Which of the following agents is most likely responsible for this patient's presentation?
   Image reproduced from CDC Public Health Library 

External Links

Summary

Neonatal herpes simplex is a rare but serious infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that affects newborn babies. It can be transmitted to the baby during childbirth if the mother is infected with HSV, usually through genital herpes.

Symptoms of neonatal herpes simplex may include fever, difficulty feeding, irritability, and lethargy. The infection can also cause skin rashes, sores on the skin and mucous membranes, and eye infections. In severe cases, neonatal herpes simplex can cause serious complications, such as meningoencephalitis, organ failure, and death.

Treatment for neonatal herpes simplex typically involves antiviral medications and supportive care, such as intravenous fluids and pain management.

Elsevier

Copyright © 2024 Elsevier, its licensors, and contributors. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

Cookies are used by this site.

USMLE® is a joint program of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). COMLEX-USA® is a registered trademark of The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, Inc. NCLEX-RN® is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. Test names and other trademarks are the property of the respective trademark holders. None of the trademark holders are endorsed by nor affiliated with Osmosis or this website.

RELX