LAUSR

Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) infection is frequent in adults but it is uncommon in newborns, and can be devastating, probably due to an immature immune system. Despite being a rare condition in children, it is an important cause of ocular disease, associated with corneal opacification, and visual loss. Perinatal transmission of HSV can occur in three ways: antenatal (5%), intrapartum (85%), and postnatal (10%). In fact, the majority of neonatal herpes infections are acquired through contact with HSV-infected genital tract secretions during delivery, but the virus occasionally gains access to the fetus via an ascending genital tract infection or transplacentally via chorionic villi. Neonatal herpes disease can be classified as disseminated visceral infection, isolated meningoencephalitis, and infection limited to the skin, eyes, and/or mucous membranes (SEM). We describe here a rare case of a newborn that presented with blepharoconjunctivitis and stromal keratitis with ulceration, after an uncomplicated vaginal delivery.