An infant, the first-born of twins, delivered by cesarean section without prior rupture of the membranes, was noted to have an advanced epithelial and stromal keratitis at birth. Herpes simplex, type 1, was cultured from the cornea and from skin vesicles which developed subsequently. The advanced nature of the lesion indicates that it was acquired In utero. This appears to be the first reported case of congenital herpetic keratitis.