What is a risk associated with a cesarean delivery for a mother with herpetic lesions?

The presence of herpetic lesions in a mother poses a significant risk during cesarean delivery due to the potential for infection transmission to the infant. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can be transmitted during delivery if there are active lesions in the genital area, especially during vaginal delivery. However, in the case of a cesarean section, if the lesions are present, there still remains a risk of either direct contamination of the surgical site or potential viral shedding, which can result in transmission to the infant during the procedure.

This risk highlights the importance of identifying maternal herpes status and considering appropriate interventions, such as scheduling a cesarean delivery if active lesions are present, to reduce the risk of vertical transmission of the virus to the newborn. The implications for the infant can range from asymptomatic infection to severe illness, making the management of such cases critical for neonatal outcomes.

Other potential complications such as increased recovery time, increased blood loss, and complications with anesthesia, while relevant to cesarean deliveries in general, are not directly linked to the presence of herpetic lesions in the same way as infection transmission is.