Unusual Presentation of Herpes Simplex Virus Hepatitis in Pregnancy leading to severe Maternal Morbidity and Sadly Neonatal Death: A Case Report and Review

Authors

  • Shaista Zubair Senior Registrar, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Good Hope Hospitals, University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, UK
  • Shalini Patni Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist , Heartland Hospitals, University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, UK
  • Sonali Gupta ST2 Trainee in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
  • Idoracaera Ikhwan ST2 Trainee in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, UK.

Abstract

We present the unusual case of HSV Hepatitis in pregnancy in a previously healthy young woman who
contracted herpes simplex virus presumably through partner contact, which progressed to fulminant
hepatitis, severe morbidity and sadly neonatal death. A 32-year-old (Gravida 5; Para 3) woman presented
with fever, tachycardia and lethargy followed by severe hepatitis in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy.
Progressive deterioration obliged an emergency cesarean section at 35+3 weeks of gestation. Following
the review which took account neonatal death, the information from the post-mortem, placental histology
and other investigations the cause of death of the baby was determined to be: Disseminated neonatal
herpes type 2 virus. There was history of herpes simplex infection in partner and mother also had herpes
but unfortunately confirmed once neonatal herpes was diagnosed at postmortem.

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Published

2021-09-02

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2: Current Issue

Section

Articles