J Korean Soc Ultrasound Med.  2007 Dec;26(4):207-210.

A Case of Fetal Herpes Simplex Encephalitis Diagnosed Prenatally by Ultrasonography in the Third Trimester

• Lee MB
• Kim YR
• Hwang HS
• Park YW
• Kim YH

Abstract

Almost all reported incidences of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in newborns result as a complication of rupture of the amniotic membranes or the delivery of the baby, but infection via the placenta and amniotic membranes is rare. Ventriculomegaly was detected at 36 weeks of gestation by prenatal ultrasonography, and an emergency cesarean section was then performed at 36 weeks of gestation. We report a case of herpes simplex encephalitis detected at 36 weeks of gestation by prenatal ultrasonography, which was confirmed by a postnatal serologic test and CSF test with a brief review of literature.

Keyword

herpes simplex, infection, encephalitis, fetus, US, hydrocephalus

MeSH Terms

Amnion
Cesarean Section
Emergencies
Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex*
Female
Herpes Simplex*
Humans
Incidence
Infant, Newborn
Placenta
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, Third*
Rupture
Serologic Tests
Simplexvirus
Ultrasonography*
Ultrasonography, Prenatal