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Case Report: Taking action or standing by: managing a preterm neonate at the risk of neonatal varicella by metagenomic next-generation sequencing

Authors :
Haiting Li
Xiyang Chen
Jie Li
Linlin Chen
Xixi Liu
Caie Chen
Dengpan Xie
Yunqin Chen
Junhui Yuan
Enfu Tao
Source :
Frontiers in Pediatrics, Vol 12 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2024.

Abstract

Neonatal varicella is indeed a rare condition, and most infants born to mothers with varicella have a good prognosis. However, in exceptional cases, neonatal varicella can be life-threatening, particularly for preterm infants. Therefore, it is vital to make an early diagnosis or predict the risk of neonatal varicella to ensure prompt treatment and improve prognosis. This report made an effort to early predict neonatal vericalla by using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in a preterm infant who was at risk for vericalla infection. A preterm infant born from a mother with varicella with symptom onset at 8 days before delivery, putting the infant at risk for varicella infection. Importantly, the patient develop pneumonia and pneumothorax, and neonatal vericella was suspected. Fortunately, the use of mNGS for testing the varicella gene in the serum promptly ruled out varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection in the patient, as indicated by a negative mNGS result. Subsequent follow-up, which included a 14-day stay in the hospital followed by an additional 7 days at home, confirmed this finding. Throughout this period, the patient did not exhibit any rash or other symptoms associated with varicella. Therefore, the novel approach of using mNGS allows neonatologists to predict and promptly address potential neonatal infections. This early detection is crucial, as delayed diagnosis or treatment could pose life-threatening risks, as exemplified by the case of neonatal varicella. In such cases, neonatologists can take proactive measures instead of standing by for at-risk neonates. Furthermore, given the severity of neonatal varicella as a life-threatening condition, the early exclusion of subsequent varicella infection by mNGS can offer reassurance to both family members and healthcare professionals.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
22962360
Volume :
12
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Pediatrics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.687ff63c3dbe46cc9a496d440cf47ee7
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2024.1345338