Although the prognosis of neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection has improved with intravenous acyclovir, the morbidity and mortality of disseminated disease remains high. Transaminitis and thrombocytopenia have been reported to be sensitive markers of neonatal HSV disease; however, early diagnosis remains a challenge due to a lack of specific clinical and laboratory indicators for this disease process. Ferritin, an acute phase reactant known for its use in diagnosing hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, has recently been reported as extremely elevated in neonates with disseminated HSV due to its high inflammatory nature. We report three cases of neonates at a single institution with hyperferritinemia in the setting of disseminated HSV. Based on this case series, we discuss whether ferritin can be used as an early diagnostic marker in the setting of suspected neonatal HSV disease. [Pediatric Annals. 2021;50(6):e264-e267.].

中文翻译：

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高铁蛋白血症：播散性新生儿单纯疱疹病毒感染的诊断标志物？

尽管静脉注射阿昔洛韦改善了新生儿单纯疱疹病毒 (HSV) 感染的预后，但播散性疾病的发病率和死亡率仍然很高。据报道，转氨酶和血小板减少症是新生儿 HSV 疾病的敏感标志物。然而，由于缺乏针对该疾病过程的特定临床和实验室指标，早期诊断仍然是一个挑战。铁蛋白是一种以用于诊断噬血细胞性淋巴组织细胞增生症而闻名的急性期反应物，最近有报道称，由于其高炎症性质，在患有播散性 HSV 的新生儿中铁蛋白含量极高。我们报告了一个机构的三例新生儿在播散性 HSV 的情况下患有高铁蛋白血症。基于这个案例系列，我们讨论了铁蛋白是否可以用作疑似新生儿 HSV 疾病的早期诊断标志物。[儿科年鉴。2021;50(6):e264-e267.]。