HSV-2 specific serology should not be offered routinely to antenatal patients

The proposal to introduce antenatal screening for HSV has no evidence for a public or individual health benefit; indeed, it has the potential to incre ase anxiety for patients, with a minimal likelihood of reducing the risk of neonatal herpes infection. Antenatal screening of an essentially healthy p opulation of women must be validated in settings of different rates of neon atal HSV infection and the purposes and limitations of screening clearly ou tlined. identification of pregnant women at risk of acquiring genital herpe s in pregnancy is also dependent upon being able to obtain the serostatus o f the male sexual partner which will reduce the practical application of th e test if both patient and partners need to be screened. We recommend that efforts to improve on the currently established mechanisms for reducing the morbidity of neonatal herpes, namely early diagnosis and prompt treatment, must take priority for resources over new and unevaluated screening progra mmes, such as routine testing of antenatal patients. Copyright (C) 2000 Joh n Wiley & Sons, Ltd.