Maternal Herpes Zoster Infection Preceding Neonatal Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: Coincidence or Association?

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare proliferative disorder involving bone marrow-derived antigen-presenting cells. It can present across a wide age range, from infancy to adulthood, with neonatal cases being particularly uncommon but often associated with a favorable prognosis. The factors contributing to the development of LCH remain poorly understood, though possible influences include genetic predispositions, immune dysregulation, and prenatal environmental exposures. We report a case of a female newborn diagnosed with LCH, whose mother had a history of varicella-zoster infection during pregnancy, suggesting a potential prenatal influence.