EPISODE

4. Maternity

Dr. House exasperates his boss, Dr. Lisa Cuddy, when he suggests that two sick newborn babies in one hospital add up to an epidemic from a spreading virus. Even more frightening is that he may be right as four more babies fall ill, the maternity ward closes, and the doctors battle over courses of treatment. House and his team must make decisions that could compromise the babies' lives.

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THIS ENTRY’S STORY

Plot summary and ending

Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.

Complete story — includes the ending

After overhearing a conversation about a sick baby, House investigates the maternity ward and predicts an epidemic. After realizing the severity of the disease, Cuddy quarantines the maternity ward. In an effort to discover the source of the epidemic, House begins treating the children. However, when the kidneys of two of the children shut down, House is forced to test which drug caused the failure, resulting in one of the babies dying. Following an autopsy, the team discovers the presence of echovirus 11, CMV, and parvovirus B19 antibodies. They test the mothers and decide the cause of the epidemic is the Echovirus. Using an experimental antivirus, they successfully cure the remaining babies. House, determined to find the entry point of the virus, finds an elderly hospital volunteer coughing and wiping her nose as she pushes around a cart of baby toys and blankets and makes the connection. Final diagnosis: Echovirus 11

Sources and content license

Source and revision history · Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, House season 1. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. · Content license