Management of Cytomegalovirus Infections and Herpes Simplex Virus in Pregnant Women and Newborns

Abstract

There is a group of infections, which can cause serious birth defects when acquired during pregnancy. They affect infant morbidity and mortality, especially if the infection occurs before 20 weekspregnant. These include those caused by cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus that are often associated with congenital infection and damage to the newborn.Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)is globally distributed among human populations from developed countries to Aboriginal communities. In developing and low socioeconomic strata of the developed countries, the prevalence is higher (over 90 %) and the virus is acquired in earlier stages of life. It is the most common congenital viral infection. It occurs 0.3 to 2 % of births and 40 % transmission is vertical. The distribution of herpes simplex virus is broad and seroprevalence in adults is between 60 and 75 % for herpes simplex 1 virus and 11-30 % for herpes simplex virus -2. The aim of this review is to describe these two entities in addressing the most common features of these conditions as epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical and therapeutic. A profound knowledge is necessary for the attending physician to the proper handling of them.