Genital herpes in the mother is associated with increased risk of brain tumors in babies. – Cancer Epidemiology (1)
Many mothers with genital herpes are concerned that their infection could harm their babies. They are right to be concerned.
Studies say that there is an increased risk of transmitting the herpes virus to the baby when the mother has active herpes lesions in the vagina. The herpes virus can then cause brain tumors and brain damage in the newborn baby (1).
As Dr. Oksuzyan and colleagues wrote, “Genital herpes and blood and immunological disorders during index pregnancy were associated with marked increased risk of total CNS tumors (OR = 2.74 and OR = 2.28, respectively).” (1) Dr. Oksuzyan is from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health in Los Angeles.
“Neonatal herpes… is the most serious manifestation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in the perinatal period. Although acyclovir therapy decreases infant mortality associated with perinatal HSV transmission, development of permanent neurological disabilities is not uncommon.” (2)
Another study noted that “Prevention of neonatal herpes depends on preventing acquisition of genital HSV infection during late pregnancy and avoiding exposure of the infant to herpetic lesions during delivery… Antiviral suppressive therapy is used from 36 weeks of gestation until delivery in pregnant women with recurrences to prevent genital lesions at the time of labor so reducing the need of caesarean sections.” (3)
WebMD notes, importantly, that “A mother can infect her baby during delivery, often fatally … women who don’t have genital herpes should be careful about sex during the third trimester. Unless you know for sure that your partner is herpes free, avoid sex altogether during the third trimester. If your partner gets cold sores (oral herpes), he or she should not perform oral sex on you during this time.
Some doctors think all women should be tested for herpes when they get pregnant, especially if their sex partners have herpes. Ask your doctor if you or your partner should be tested.” (4)
References:
(1) S. Oksuzyana, C.M. Crespib, M. Cockburnc, G. Mezeid, L. Kheifetse, “Birth weight and other perinatal factors and childhood CNS tumors: A case–control study in California.” Volume 37, Issue 4, August 2013, Pages 402–409
(2) CHERPES, THOMAS L. MD; MATTHEWS, DEAN B. BS; MARYAK, SAMANTHA A. BS “Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection” Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology: December 2012 – Volume 55 – Issue 4 – p 938–944
(3) Guerra B1, Puccetti C, Cervi F. “The genital herpes problem in pregnancy.” G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2012 Oct;147(5):455-66.
(4) WebMD.com – Pregnancy and Genital Herpes – Reviewed by Traci C. Johnson, MD, FACOG on September 30, 2014