Herpes zoster ophthalmicus in a 1-year-old child

Description

A girl aged 15 months presented with a 2-day history of fatigue and fever, along with a vesicular rash over her right eye and forehead (see figure 1).

Figure 1

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus affecting the right eye.

Swabs were sent for PCR and were positive for varicella zoster DNA, and a working diagnosis of herpes zoster ophthalmicus was made. There was no history of varicella zoster infection, although there was suggestion that there had been in utero exposure. She was treated with intravenous acyclovir for 48 hours until ophthalmology review confirmed that there was no ocular involvement. She was then discharged to complete a further 7 days of oral and topical treatment. Follow-up 3 weeks later showed complete resolution of the rash.

In general, herpes zoster is uncommon in individuals younger than 10 years of age and rare in infants.1 Herpes zoster infections are...

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