Eye infections with herpes simplex viruses in neonates.

A newborn with severe ocular herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 infection acquired in utero is presented to exemplify problems in diagnosis and management. A review of 297 newborns with HSV type 1 or type 2 infection reveals that about one-fifth demonstrate ocular involvement including one or more of the following: microphatalmia, conjunctivitis, keratitis, chorioretinitis, optic neuritis and cataracts.