Abstract
Herpes zoster is the clinical consequence of a late reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV). It infects mainly the elderly, but pediatric cases are not uncommon. It occurs mostly in immunocompromised children, or in infancy after reactivation of latent VZV infection acquired transplacentally during intrauterine life. Rarely, herpes zoster occurs in otherwise normal children, especially following varicella during the first year of life. Clinical presentation of herpes zoster in children is identical to that of adult, with usually a benign course. The impairment of cellular and non specific immunity (Natural Killer cells) appears to have a particular role in the occurrence of herpes zoster. Treatment of the usual form comprises antiseptic measures and prevention of pruritus. In immunocompromised children, the infection is generally severe and disseminated, and can result in high rates of morbidity and mortality, thus requiring specific intravenous antiviral therapy with antiviral drugs such as acyclovir without delay. There is no single approach towards VZV infection prevention in immunocompromised hosts. Vaccination with live attenuated varicella vaccine, has proved to be efficient and safe in immunocompromised children.
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