outbreak of herpes at birth..help

Q. · Feb 28, 2003

Hmm. Did she have an active outbreak while she was in labor/delivering? Did she have a C-section?

lpnga · Feb 28, 2003

NO she did not have a c-section and YES she had an outbreak at the time of delivery

Q. · Feb 28, 2003

Why? Normally we do C-sections during active phases of herpes to prevent transmission! :eek: Which is why I can't tell you the symptoms of babies with active herpes syndrome - because I've never seen it. Also try posting this under the NICU forums; they probably would know.

ladyjane · Feb 28, 2003

babies present with meningeal-type symptoms. our neos go ahead and treat with acyclovir to cover until proof comes back. can be bad news if left untreated.

roxannekkb · Mar 1, 2003

herpes can be deadly in a newborn. I've seen three cases, and two of the babies had a rash all over the body. Two had seizures. I only know the final outcome of one of them--essentially, she was a rag doll. I saw her again when she about 8 months old, and she didn't respond, didn't move on her own. Had barely any muscle tone. The baby must be treated immediately, if herpes is suspected. Sad to say, it may be too late for this baby if a month has passed.

lpnga · Mar 1, 2003

I am so worried about it....I don't think her or her boyfriend or even either one of their parents are ready for this......I hope this is not the case? CAn they have breathing problems also if it goes to the internal organs? Her mom thinks she still runs her and tells her what to do...her mom told her that she could not have any pain medicine while in labor because she did not use it while giving birth to her so her daughters don't need it either....I don't like her mom and I feel so bad for her.

igloorn93 · Mar 1, 2003

I don't understand why they didn't do a C-section. I thought that was routine practice with Herpes outbreaks? Is it possible that her doctor doesnt' know? Can you slip a note to the babies nurse or doctor or make an annymonus (I know I spelt that wrong, it's late), telephone call to the hospital and put a bug in a caregivers ear? That might at least get them thinking of that possibility. Good luck.

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Mar 1, 2003

If baby has been admitted r/o sepsis, was being treated with abx, next step would be viral cultures and treat with acyclovir. That would depend on the ped, but we are treating a lot more babies that way.

One time we had premie twins 35 week or so, the girl crumped at 2 wks of age, apnea, bradycardia. To Childrens on a vent, went into liver failure. Labs came back pos HSV. We treated the boy with Acylovir, too. Thought she wouldn't survive, but she did come back to us. We haven't heard anything since they were discharged, though.

MishlB · Mar 1, 2003

I think it's none of your business. As far as slipping an anonymous note to the doctor?....not a good idea. I'm sure they know how to do their job.

renerian, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2003

Start praying................

renerian

ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2003

Originally posted by MishlB
I think it's none of your business. As far as slipping an anonymous note to the doctor?....not a good idea. I'm sure they know how to do their job.

I disagree completely. If I knew of someone who had a child who might have been born lady partslly through a herpes outbreak, I would say something. That baby needs someone to speak up for it. It probably doesn't have herpes, but what if? I think the mom would be grateful in the long run, if long term problems could be avoided. :rolleyes: