TITLE:
Late Onset Neonatal Herpes Encephalitis: A Case-Based CNS Complication and Neurological Outcome
AUTHORS:
Surya N. Gupta, Vikash S. Gupta, Nirali Borad
KEYWORDS:
Neonatal Herpes Encephalitis, Central Nervous System Complication, Acute Hydrocephalus, Intracranial Hemorrhage, Opsoclonus or Dancing eye, Cerebral Palsy
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.2 No.2,
February
27,
2015
ABSTRACT: Individual neurological complication caused by Herpes simplex viruses in neonates is well-known. We report neonatal Herpes encephalitis that caused multiple neurological complications in the same patient during acute phase of illness. Our patient differs from previously reported cases in the following ways: 1) Late onset neonatal presentation; 2) Development of multiple neurologic complications during acyclovir therapy; 3) Cesarean-section did not prevent perinatal transmission of Herpes simplex virus; and 4) Our patient’s acute hydrocephalus was managed conservatively and he had no reoccurrence of seizure, hydrocephalus, and no motor deficits. A high degree of suspicion, timely needed supportive medical and surgical care, and prompt initiation of intravenous acyclovir offer the best chance for neurological outcome in neonates with Herpes encephalitis.