Prenatal and Neonatal Infections of the Central Nervous System

Linda S de Vries; Vincent Bekker; Sylke J Steggerda

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2025.05.003

Prenatal and Neonatal Infections of the Central Nervous System

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2025 Oct;72(5):825-842. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2025.05.003. Epub 2025 Jul 23.

Authors

Linda S de Vries¹, Vincent Bekker², Sylke J Steggerda²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: l.s.de_vries@lumc.nl.
² Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.

PMID: 41077461
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2025.05.003

Abstract

Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections of the central nervous system of the newborn are uncommon but severe and can result in devastating brain injury. These pathogens have their own pattern of brain lesions. Cranial ultrasound and MRI can, therefore, already suggest the causative pathogen. Brain lesions can evolve and repeat neuro-imaging is important to either diagnose abscess formation, cystic evolution, or hydrocephalus. Outcome varies considerably among the different pathogens, and long-term follow-up is recommended.

Keywords: CNS infection; Cranial ultrasound; MRI; Neuro-imaging; Newborn.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Central Nervous System Infections* / diagnosis
Central Nervous System Infections* / microbiology
Central Nervous System Infections* / therapy
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / diagnosis