Neonatal Herpes Simplex Infection With Extensive Congenital Epidermal Skin Loss: A Report of Four Cases

N. T. McSwiney; E. Vaughan; A. Phillips; L. Newell; H. Wainman; P. Lopez Balboa; A. E. Martinez; S. P. Wardle; J. C. Ravenscroft

doi:10.1111/pde.70144

Neonatal Herpes Simplex Infection With Extensive Congenital Epidermal Skin Loss: A Report of Four Cases

N. T. McSwiney^*, E. Vaughan, A. Phillips, L. Newell, H. Wainman, P. Lopez Balboa, A. E. Martinez, S. P. Wardle, J. C. Ravenscroft

^*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

We describe four cases of neonatal epidermal skin loss presenting at birth, secondary to disseminated herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. In three, there was a strikingly similar presentation of 80% epidermal skin loss with sparing of the hands, feet, and areas on either the face or scalp. In the fourth neonate, the skin loss was less extensive but followed a similar pattern. This case series highlights an under-recognized pattern of skin involvement in systemic neonatal HSV, and the importance of early recognition and optimal management to improve outcomes.

Original language	English
Number of pages	4
Journal	Pediatric Dermatology
Early online date	11 Feb 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/pde.70144
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 11 Feb 2026

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© 2026 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

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This is the accepted author manuscript (AAM) of the article which has been made Open Access under the University of Bristol's Scholarly Works Policy. The final published version (Version of Record) can be found on the publisher's website. The copyright of any third-party content, such as images, remains with the copyright holder.
Accepted author manuscript, 153 KBLicence: CC BY

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CAESAR: Centre for Applied Excellence in Skin and Allergy Research
Ridd, M. J. (Principal Investigator), Turner, A. J. (Manager), Caldwell, C. C. (Administrator), Parslow, R. M. (Researcher), Granell, R. (Researcher), Huntley, A. L. (Researcher), Umasunthar, T. (Researcher), Jones, O. (Researcher), Brown, E. L. (Researcher), Gilbertson, A. (Student), Vincent, R. (Student), Feeney, M. (Student), Hutchison, E. J. (Student) & Wainman, H. (Student)
1/12/23 → 30/11/28
Project: Research

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@article{ff943dc1de9a4c1c9d05e90c1ed5ed30,

title = "Neonatal Herpes Simplex Infection With Extensive Congenital Epidermal Skin Loss: A Report of Four Cases",

abstract = "We describe four cases of neonatal epidermal skin loss presenting at birth, secondary to disseminated herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. In three, there was a strikingly similar presentation of 80\% epidermal skin loss with sparing of the hands, feet, and areas on either the face or scalp. In the fourth neonate, the skin loss was less extensive but followed a similar pattern. This case series highlights an under-recognized pattern of skin involvement in systemic neonatal HSV, and the importance of early recognition and optimal management to improve outcomes.",

author = "McSwiney, \{N. T.\} and E. Vaughan and A. Phillips and L. Newell and H. Wainman and Balboa, \{P. Lopez\} and Martinez, \{A. E.\} and Wardle, \{S. P.\} and Ravenscroft, \{J. C.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 Wiley Periodicals LLC.",

year = "2026",

month = feb,

day = "11",

doi = "10.1111/pde.70144",

language = "English",

journal = "Pediatric Dermatology",

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T1 - Neonatal Herpes Simplex Infection With Extensive Congenital Epidermal Skin Loss

T2 - A Report of Four Cases

AU - McSwiney, N. T.

AU - Vaughan, E.

AU - Phillips, A.

AU - Newell, L.

AU - Wainman, H.

AU - Balboa, P. Lopez

AU - Martinez, A. E.

AU - Wardle, S. P.

AU - Ravenscroft, J. C.

PY - 2026/2/11

Y1 - 2026/2/11

N2 - We describe four cases of neonatal epidermal skin loss presenting at birth, secondary to disseminated herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. In three, there was a strikingly similar presentation of 80% epidermal skin loss with sparing of the hands, feet, and areas on either the face or scalp. In the fourth neonate, the skin loss was less extensive but followed a similar pattern. This case series highlights an under-recognized pattern of skin involvement in systemic neonatal HSV, and the importance of early recognition and optimal management to improve outcomes.

AB - We describe four cases of neonatal epidermal skin loss presenting at birth, secondary to disseminated herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. In three, there was a strikingly similar presentation of 80% epidermal skin loss with sparing of the hands, feet, and areas on either the face or scalp. In the fourth neonate, the skin loss was less extensive but followed a similar pattern. This case series highlights an under-recognized pattern of skin involvement in systemic neonatal HSV, and the importance of early recognition and optimal management to improve outcomes.

U2 - 10.1111/pde.70144

DO - 10.1111/pde.70144

M3 - Article (Academic Journal)

C2 - 41668560

SN - 0736-8046

JO - Pediatric Dermatology

JF - Pediatric Dermatology

ER -

Neonatal Herpes Simplex Infection With Extensive Congenital Epidermal Skin Loss: A Report of Four Cases

Abstract

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Projects

CAESAR: Centre for Applied Excellence in Skin and Allergy Research

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