Phase III Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study of Acyclovir Oral Suspension for Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection Limited to the Skin, Eyes, and Mouth

PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double-blind study. Patients are stratified by participating institution. All patients are treated with intravenous acyclovir for 14 days. Patients are then randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups if the following criteria are met: no systemic disease involvement, documented by negative cerebrospinal fluid exam, brain computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging; and entry criteria continue to be met. Randomized treatment begins 8 hours after the final dose of intravenous acyclovir. One group is treated with oral acyclovir, while the control group receives an oral placebo. Treatment continues for 6 months in the absence of unacceptable toxicity, systemic disease, and 2 or more recurrences of skin lesions. Patients are followed at 6 months, then yearly for at least 4 years. The study duration is estimated to be 4 years.