Genital herpes in obstetrics and neonatal herpes (literature review)

Genital herpes (GH) is a chronic infection caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, which is mainly sexually transmitted and causes recurrent genital ulcers throughout life. Infection of a woman with HSV during pregnancy poses a risk to the development of the fetus and newborn. Transmission of the virus occurs through contact with HSV type 1 or 2 in the prenatal period, during the intrapartum period, or after delivery. The aim is to review the clinical forms of HSV infection in pregnant women and newborns, ways of mother-to-child transmission, current approaches to diagnosis and treatment, indications for cesarean section, and ways of prevention in uninfected women during pregnancy and in healthy infants. The literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Google, the Cochrane Library, international recommendations and guidelines for 2014-2025. The clinical diagnosis of GH is usually made by detecting vesicular, eroded, or ulcerated lesions, but should always be confirmed by laboratory tests. The approach to antiviral therapy in pregnant women with GH takes into account the classification of the infection, the severity of symptoms and the gestational age at the time of infection in relation to the term of delivery. Suppressive antiviral therapy is used to reduce the likelihood of recurrence of GH before delivery. Despite progress in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, neonatal herpes infection continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality in newborns. No conflict of interests was declared by the author.