| Abstract | Neonatal herpes is a severe systemic viral infection with a high morbidity and mortality, which is most commonly acquired at or near the time of delivery. Almost all cases of neonatal herpes occur as a result of direct contact with infected maternal secretions, although cases of postnatal transmission have been described. Neonatal herpes may be caused by herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2), as either viral type can cause genital herpes. |