[Herpesvirus simplex disease in the newborn infant. Clinical aspects, diagnosis, prophylaxis, therapy].

Herpes Simplex virus infection (Particularly by HVS2) is one of the most important disease transmitted by mother to newborn because of the seriousness of symptoms and the high incidence of genital infection of pregnants. Transmission of congenital HVS infection occurs usually by contact with infected genital secretions during the birth process, but there is evidence that transplacenter transmission also may occur. Emphasis must be placed then on prophylaxis of genital infection of pregnants and of their partners. Specific Immunoglobulins with high antibody titre are recommended for prophylaxis. An anti HVS2 vaccine without oncogen property os still at experimental stage. This prophylaxis is inadequate for the newborn of infected mother: this one must be treated with newer antiviral agents (Acyclovir), even is absence of herpetic lesion and other symptoms.