What is the incidence of neonatal Herpes Simplex in newborns worldwide?
Neonatal herpes simplex virus (nHSV) refers to infections caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2 that occur in infants during the birth period or shortly after. While these infections are considered uncommon globally, they are serious because they can lead to severe illness and long-term health problems for the newborn.
What the research says
Research indicates that the global incidence of neonatal herpes simplex virus is approximately 8.2 cases per 100,000 live births 4. This rate has been observed to rise by about 3.5% annually 4. The data shows significant regional differences in how often these infections occur; for example, the Americas reported the highest incidence at 13.3 cases per 100,000 live births, while the Western Pacific Region reported 2.9 cases per 100,000 live births 4.
In terms of specific virus types, HSV-2 accounts for approximately 52.8% of cases, while HSV-1 accounts for about 47.3% of cases globally 4. While the infection is rare, it remains a significant concern for doctors because it can cause severe morbidity and mortality if the virus spreads to the central nervous system 5. Although many pregnant women carry the virus—with some estimates suggesting around 22% of pregnant women have genital herpes—the actual number of infants who develop neonatal herpes disease remains relatively low 6.
What to ask your doctor
- What is the risk of neonatal herpes simplex virus (nHSV) for my pregnancy?
- How common are HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections in newborns in our region?
- What signs should I look for in a newborn that might indicate an HSV infection?
- What screening or preventative measures are available for infants during the peripartum period?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Infectious Disease and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.