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Neonatal Infections

»	What are the TORCHES infections in a neonate?
»	Describe the cutaneous findings in neonatal herpes simplex viral (HSV) infections.
»	Is neonatal herpes simplex dangerous?
»	What percentage of herpes-infected neonates display skin or mucosal lesions?
»	What percentage of these lesions are HSV-1, as opposed to HSV-2?
»	What tests can be done to diagnose herpes infections? How should material be obtained for these tests?
»	What is congenital varicella syndrome?
»	What is the average age of onset of lesions in a neonate exposed to varicella perinatally? When is there an increased risk of mortality?
»	What is the treatment of neonatal HSV and varicella infection?
»	What is a “blueberry muffin baby”? What is the significance of this diagnosis?
»	At what time during pregnancy is there the highest risk of congenital rubella following maternal infection?
»	List the classic triad of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).
»	Are any precautions necessary for infants with congenital rubella syndrome at the time of hospital discharge?
»	Why is human parvovirus infection important to a pregnant woman?
»	Are most infants with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection symptomatic?
»	What cutaneous findings are seen in congenital CMV infection?
»	What clinical findings are seen in congenital Epstein-Barr virus infection?
»	Describe a clinical presentation of congenital human papillomavirus infection.
»	What is the risk of HIV infection transmission to an infant born from an HIV-positive mother?
»	What is Hutchinson’s triad?
»	Are there any other stigmata of late congenital syphilis?
»	What are the physical findings of early congenital syphilis?

Is neonatal herpes simplex dangerous?

Neonatal herpetic infections are usually severe (especially if lesions are disseminated or the central nervous system [CNS] is involved) and require immediate diagnosis and treatment. The majority of infants with HSV infection acquire it in the intrapartum period or postnatally. Even with adequate treatment, the mortality rate approaches 50% in infants with disseminated disease, and the incidence of long-term morbidity is significant.

Kohl S: Herpes simplex virus. In Behrman R, Kliegman R, Jenson H, editors: Nelson textbook of pediatrics. Philadelphia, 2004, WB Saunders, pp 1051–1057.