Caesarean section has been found to eliminate neonatal complications due to infection with which virus?

• A. Varicella-zoster
• B. Herpes simplex virus-2
• C. Cytomegalovirus
• D. Poliovirus

Answer: (B)

Perinatal exposure during passage through the birth canal is what determines the neonatal risk for some infections. Herpes simplex virus type 2 is classically transmitted to the newborn during vaginal delivery when the maternal genital tract is shedding the virus. Delivering by cesarean section in the presence of active genital HSV infection or prodromal symptoms prevents the baby from contacting infected secretions, so it markedly reduces neonatal HSV infection and its complications.

The other viruses listed are not chiefly transmitted in this way at birth, so cesarean delivery does not provide the same protective effect against them. Cytomegalovirus, for example, is often transmitted in utero or after birth, and varicella-zoster can be acquired around delivery but isn’t reliably prevented by cesarean in the same way. Poliovirus is not typically a perinatal concern.