neonatal herpes

neonatal herpes simplex, herpes neonatorum herpes simplex in a neonate, usually contracted while passing through the birth canal of a mother with active genital herpes. It may be localized with skin eruptions or generalized, affecting the liver, adrenal glands, and lungs. In a minority of cases, virus from the mother crosses the placenta and the fetus is infected in utero; these neonates may have brain involvement such as microcephaly and seizures.