Infections (1)

Question 1

Varicella Zoster:
What can an infection with this during pregnancy lead to?

What should pregnant women exposed to VZV be given?

What should be given if the rash develops during pregnancy?

What are the features of Congenital Varicella Syndrome?

Answer 1

➊ • More severe cases in the mother, like varicella pneumonitis, hepatitis or encephalitis
• Congenital varicella syndrome
• Severe neonatal varicella infection – if infected near delivery

➋ IV VZV Ig as prophylaxis if non-immune

➌ Aciclovir

➍ • Scars and significant skin changes in a dermatomal distribution
• Limb hypoplasia
• Foetal growth restriction
• Microcephaly, Hydrocephalus, LD
• Cataracts, Chorioretinitis (inflammation in eye)

Question 2

Syphilis:
What can an infection with this during pregnancy lead to?

What are the features of it?

What is used to treat it?

Answer 2

➊ Miscarriage, stillbirth, or death of the neonate

➋ • Bone damage,
• Severe anaemia
• Hepato/Splenomegaly
• Jaundice
• Blindness, Deafness
• Meningitis

➌ Penicillin

Question 3

TORCH Syndrome:
What does TORCH stand for?

What are the features of it?

What are the complications of it?

Answer 3

➊ • Toxoplasma Gondii
• Other agents e.g. Treponema, VZV, Parvovirus B19, HIV
• Rubella
• CMV
• HSV

➋ S+S vary depending on the underlying infection, but the non-specific ones include Fever, Microcephaly, Microsomia, Cataracts, Hearing loss, Congenital heart disease

➌ Premature birth, Intrauterine growth restriction, Physical malformations (e.g. deafness, pda), Miscarriage