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

Lee,  Mi Bum; Kim,  Yu Ri; Hwang,  Han Sung; Park,  Yong won; Kim,  Young Han

Journal of Korean Society of Ultrasound in Medicine 2007;26(4): 207-210.

Mi Bum Lee, Yu Ri Kim, Han Sung Hwang, Yong won Park, Young Han Kim

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea. yhkim522@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr

Published online: December 1, 2007.

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.

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