The Journal of Pediatrics
Volume 153, Issue 2 , Pages 155-156 , August 2008

When Should You Initiate Acyclovir Therapy in a Neonate?

  • David W. Kimberlin, MD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: David W. Kimberlin, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1600 Seventh Ave South, CHB 303, Birmingham, AL 35233.

References 

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  2. American Academy of Pediatrics. Herpes simplex. In:  Pickering LK editors. 2006 Red book: report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 26th ed.. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2006;p. 361–371
  3. Troendle-Atkins J, Demmler GJ, Buffone GJ. Rapid diagnosis of herpes simplex virus encephalitis by using the polymerase chain reaction. J Pediatr. 1993;123:376–380
  4. Kimberlin DW, Lakeman FD, Arvin AM, Prober CG, Corey L, Powell DA, et al. Application of the polymerase chain reaction to the diagnosis and management of neonatal herpes simplex virus disease. J Infect Dis. 1996;174:1162–1167
  5. Malm G, Forsgren M. Neonatal herpes simplex virus infections: HSV DNA in cerebrospinal fluid and serum. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 1999;81:F24–F29
  6. Kimura H, Futamura M, Kito H, Ando T, Goto M, Kuzushima K, et al. Detection of viral DNA in neonatal herpes simplex virus infections: frequent and prolonged presence in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. J Infect Dis. 1991;164:289–293
  7. Barbi M, Binda S, Primache V, Tettamanti A, Negri C, Brambilla C. Use of Guthrie cards for the early diagnosis of neonatal herpes simplex virus disease. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1998;17:251–252
  8. Diamond C, Mohan K, Hobson A, Frenkel L, Corey L. Viremia in neonatal herpes simplex virus infections. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1999;18:487–489
  9. Kimura H, Ito Y, Futamura M, Ando Y, Yabuta Y, Hoshino Y, et al. Quantitation of viral load in neonatal herpes simplex virus infection and comparison between type 1 and type 2. J Med Virol. 2002;67:349–353
  10. Lewensohn-Fuchs I, Osterwall P, Forsgren M, Malm G. Detection of herpes simplex virus DNA in dried blood spots making a retrospective diagnosis possible. J Clin Virol. 2003;26:39–48
  11. Kimberlin D, Cloud G, Lakeman F, Jacobs R, Gutierrez K, Powell D, et al. Serum polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may not diagnose neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) disease. In: 42nd Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Boston, Massachusetts; Abstract 992; 2004.
  12. Kimberlin DW, Lin CY, Jacobs RF, Powell DA, Frenkel LM, Gruber WC, et al. Natural history of neonatal herpes simplex virus infections in the acyclovir era. Pediatrics. 2001;108:223–229
  13. Kimberlin DW, Lin CY, Jacobs RF, Powell DA, Corey L, Gruber WC, et al. Safety and efficacy of high-dose intravenous acyclovir in the management of neonatal herpes simplex virus infections. Pediatrics. 2001;108:230–238

 Editor's Note: The following interrelated editorials by Kimberlin and Long place the findings of Caviness et al regarding herpes simplex infection in young infants into a clinical framework. The editorialists delineate their personal approach and recommendations for the empiric use of acyclovir therapy; they illustrate the variations in practice that result when there is a shortfall of evidence. These perspectives indicate the concept that there is room for guidance flavored by experience and personal weighting of risk: benefit ratios.—William F. Balistreri, MD, Editor, The Journal of Pediatrics

PII: S0022-3476(08)00303-X

doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2008.04.027

The Journal of Pediatrics
Volume 153, Issue 2 , Pages 155-156 , August 2008

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