Neonatal herpes simplex meningoencephalitis associated with fetal monitor scalp electrodes

Kaye, Edward M. M.D.
Dooling, Elizabeth C. M.D.

Department of Pediatrics (Pediatric Neurology), Boston City Hospital, Boston, MA.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Kaye, Department of Pediatrics (Pediatric Neurology), Boston City Hospital, 818 Harrison Avenue, Boston, 02118.

Presented in part at the thrity-first annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, Chicago, IL, April 1979.

Accepted for publication October 22, 1980.

Neurology 31(8):p 1045-1046, August 1981.

Article abstract

Two full-term unrelated infants developed herpetic lesions at the site of scalp fetal monitor electrodes several days after uncomplicated labor and vaginal delivery. The mothers had been asymptomatic during pregnancy. In addition to the scalp vesicles, one infant had unilateral herpetic conjunctivitis; the other infant had vesicles on the face without ocular involvement. Both babies had cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis and elevated protein. Herpes virus was cultured from the vesicles and CSF. Computed tomography showed low density areas in the frontotemporal regions. On follow-up, seizures persisted and neurologic development was impaired. These patients illustrate the potential risk of infection when internal fetal monitoring is used in low risk pregnancies.