Herpesvirus infection in the newborn. Its treatment by exchange transfusion and adenosine arabinoside.

A case is reported of herpesvirus infection in the newborn following maternal genital herpesvirus infection. The rationale for treating a newborn infant with signs of disseminated herpesvirus infection by exchange transfusion in addition to adenosine arabinoside is discussed. Because of the lack of data concerning therapy for a disease with a 50 to 100% mortality rate, it is important to present material such as this in order to provide information about possible new therapeutic modalities.