With increasing use of antiherpesviral agents for extended periods, particularly in immunocompromised hosts, the emergence of resistant viruses has necessitated the development of newer agents with novel targets and better side-effect profiles.

A widespread epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection was reported in 2015 from South and Central America and the Caribbean. Although the full spectrum of ZIKV infection of the newborn has yet to be determined, other maternal viral infections resulting in transmission to the fetus provide instructive lessons that can be applied to the prospective evaluation of individuals with ZIKV infection. This review focuses on those other congenital infections, including rubella, congenital cytomegalovirus, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and neonatal herpes simplex virus, from which lessons for the evaluation of ZIKV in the newborn can be applied.

Table of Contents Summary:SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the respiratory tract is significantly higher in children < 1 year and in those with symptomatic disease.What is known on this subject: Data on clinical characteristics of children with SARS-CoV-2 is widely available compared to limited information on virological characteristics, particularly in children with asymptomatic and mild infections. What this study adds:Children with COVID-19 are predominantly asymptomatic or have mild illness despite high viral load (VL) levels in the respiratory tract and at other sites, irrespective of age, severity of illness and underlying co-morbidities.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections in newborns are associated with severe disease and death. Trials conducted by the Collaborative Antiviral Study Group have established the standard of care for the treatment of neonatal HSV disease with marked improvements in morbidity and mortality. We review the studies that have contributed to our understanding of the epidemiology and clinical course of neonatal HSV disease and discuss the landmark trials that have resulted in safe and effective treatment together with improved diagnostics. Although significant advances have been made, neonatal HSV disease continues to have an unacceptably high mortality rate with significant sequelae in survivors. Further research is urgently needed for prevention.

Since initial identification of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in 2019, the virus has proved to be highly transmissible, resulting in a global pandemic with emerging reports of infected neonates. This report highlights a severe case of neonatal coronavirus disease 2019 with acute respiratory distress syndrome.