Clinical and Neuroimaging Findings in Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection

In a retrospective review of infants with neonatal herpes simplex virus disease (n = 29), we found bilateral multilobar (n = 8), pontine (n = 3), thalamic (n = 6), and internal capsule and corticospinal tract (n = 5) involvement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Diffusion-weighted imaging (n = 6) performed early revealed additional involvement than detected by conventional MRI. Neurodevelopmental sequelae were correlated with MRI abnormalities. Our findings demonstrate that MRI, including diffusion-weighted imaging, is a valuable prognostic adjunct in neonatal herpes simplex virus disease.