Congenital and Perinatal Viral Infections

Despite remarkable advancements in the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, congenital (also known as intrauterine) and perinatal (also known as neonatal) infections remain major causes of permanent neurodevelopmental disabilities worldwide. Fortunately, relatively few viral pathogens can infect the developing fetus or the newborn postnatally and induce neurological disease. These pathogens include cytomegalovirus, rubella virus, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella zoster virus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, the nonpolio enteroviruses, parechovirus, and human immunodeficiency virus. This chapter describes the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of these congenital and perinatal viral infections.