Effect of Serologic Status and Cesarean Delivery on Transmission Rates of Herpes Simplex Virus From Mother to Infant

To determine the effects of viral shedding, maternal HSV serologic status, and delivery route on the risk of transmission of HSV from mother to infant.

Prospective cohort of pregnant women enrolled between January 1982 and December 1999. SETTINGS: A university medical center, a US Army medical center, and 5 community hospitals in Washington State. PATIENTS: A total of 58 362 pregnant women, of whom 40 023 had HSV cultures obtained from the cervix and external genitalia and 31 663 had serum samples tested for HSV. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Rates of neonatal HSV infection.