Vacuum extraction and herpes simplex virus infection.

OBJECTIVE

To search for an association between delivery by vacuum extraction and an increased neonatal risk for herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional, descriptive, controlled study, the study (vacuum extraction) and control (spontaneous delivery) groups each included 50 consecutive women with no history of HSV infection. Cultures for HSV were obtained from the genital tracts of all parturient women and the scalps of their newborns.

RESULTS

Following operative vaginal delivery, two newborns (4%) had scalp vesicles and cultures were positive for HSV for both mothers and newborns; two newborns (4%) had scalp vesicles and cultures were negative for HSV; and two newborns (4%) without scalp vesicles had cultures positive for HSV. Following spontaneous delivery, cultures were positive for HSV for four women and their newborns (8%).

CONCLUSION

Herpes simplex virus isolated from the scalps of newborns may often result from colonization rather than infection.