Prenatal diagnosis of fetal herpes simplex infection.

BACKGROUND

Intrauterine infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) has been associated with a significant number of neonatal HSV infections. When these infections begin in utero, the associated morbidity is more severe, and treatment regimens may be less effective.

CASE

A 24-year-old nullipara with an abnormal triple screen and multiple ultrasound abnormalities at 19 weeks' gestation underwent amniocentesis and cordocentesis. Laboratory results were consistent with HSV infection. The patient elected to terminate the pregnancy, and on postmortem examination of the fetus, evidence of disseminated disease was present.

CONCLUSION

We believe that this case documents a relationship between HSV infection and findings on ultrasound that have previously been described in association with other in utero infections. We suggest that general viral cultures of the amniotic fluid be done when in utero infection is suspected.