Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) Annual Surveillance Report 2019

The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) has been prospectively collecting national data on rare childhood conditions since 1993, with monthly reporting of cases by paediatricians. In this report we describe annual results from studies for ten communicable diseases and complications of communicable diseases that were conducted using APSU surveillance in 2019 and place these in an historic context. Results are reported on acute flaccid paralysis, congenital cytomegalovirus infection, neonatal herpes simplex virus infection, perinatal exposure to HIV, paediatric HIV infection, severe complications of seasonal influenza, juvenile onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JoRRP), congenital rubella syndrome, congenital varicella syndrome and neonatal varicella infection. APSU provides rich clinical data to complement data collected from other surveillance systems and to improve understanding and response to rare childhood infections.

Aplasia Cutis Congenita as a Sole Manifestation of Congenital Varicella Syndrome

Aplasia cutis congenita following maternal varicella is well known. On the other hand, aplasia cutis congenita as the sole manifestation of congenital varicella syndrome is very rare. A perusal of the literature revealed only one case. We report two infants with aplasia cutis congenita as the sole manifestation of congenital varicella syndrome.

Birth palsy in congenital varicella syndrome: A lesson in anatomy

ABSTRACTWhile brachial plexus palsy sustained due to birth trauma is well known, congenital palsies are decidedly rare. We report such a case caused by congenital varicella syndrome, with associated congenital Horner's syndrome and heterochromia iridis. The surprising juxtaposition of a classic upper plexus palsy and a Horner's syndrome raises points of interest. Similar reports in literature are reviewed, and the genesis of a very characteristic group of findings is discussed.

Intrauterine Herpes Simplex Virus Infection Presenting as a Zosteriform Eruption in a Newborn

There is significant morbidity and mortality associated with the transmission of herpes simplex virus (HSV) from pregnant women to their fetus or newborn. Although most commonly transmitted in the peripartum period, in rare cases HSV can lead to intrauterine infection. Cutaneous lesions are the most common manifestation of intrauterine HSV, and have a wide spectrum of presentation. We present a rare case of intrauterine HSV-2 infection presenting with a zosteriform eruption mimicking congenital varicella syndrome in a newborn.