Acuut leverfalen bij een neonaat door herpes simplex

Background

(HSV) infection in neonates is rare. This infection is generally considered when there is a history of contact with a person who has a cold sore or when the mother has active genital herpes.

Case description

A 7-day-old female was admitted to hospital on suspicion of sepsis. Aciclovir was considered, but ultimately not given due to low suspicion of herpes infection. Her clinical situation deteriorated within a couple of days. Due to the advanced liver damage, the disease had a fulminant course and the patient died.

Conclusion

Even without evidence of contact with HSV in the history, it is important to start acyclovir early in neonates with fever of unknown origin. A rare clinical presentation is acute liver failure. HSV infection can run a serious course in neonates; therefore, aciclovir should be started immediately if there is any suspicion. Conflict of interest: none declared. Financial support: none declared.