Should Caesarian Section Be Offered to Women With Recurrent Genital Herpes Simplex Lesions After >4 Hours of Ruptured Membranes?

J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2018 Aug;40(8):1054-1056. doi: 10.1016/j.jogc.2018.01.001.

Abstract

Background: Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and its implications have been well defined. Several methods are recommended to mitigate the risk of maternal transmission of HSV to the neonate, including CS, suppressive antiviral therapy for the mother, and prophylaxis for the infant. The utility of CS in women who present with a duration of rupture of membranes greater than 4 hours remains a question.

Case: We present a case of a woman who presented following 10 hours of rupture of membranes with HSV genital lesions, suspected to be the result of untreated recurrent infection. A CS was done.

Conclusion: Extensive studies for the presence of HSV by PCR of the placenta and infant failed to detect the virus.

Keywords: Caesarian section; Herpes simplex virus; prolonged rupture of membranes; transmission.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cesarean Section*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture*
  • Herpes Genitalis / diagnosis*
  • Herpes Genitalis / transmission
  • Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / prevention & control*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis*
  • Prenatal Care*
  • Recurrence
  • Young Adult