Advances in the antiviral therapy of herpes virus infection in children.

Herpes viruses are ubiquitous and primary infections, with many of these viruses common during childhood. In general, children tolerate primary infection well, with only mild symptoms, but in the immunocompromised, including the newborn, infection can be associated with serious morbidity and mortality. Drug treatment for many of the herpes infections is available but is often associated with serious side effects. In the pediatric age group, treatment is further hindered by a lack of information on suitable dosing regimes, unavailability of oral solutions and a lack of clinical trials specifically investigating response to treatment in this group of patients. This article will review current evidence regarding the pharmacokinetics and dosing of the most commonly used antiherpetic agents and will look specifically at the treatment of the more common herpes virus infections in children.