Infections in Pregnancy Flashcards
What is the aetiology of chickenpox?
- Varicella-zoster virus
How is varicella-zoster virus transmitted?
- Respiratory droplets
- Period of infectivity is from 48 hours before rash develops to once lesions have ‘crusted over’ (normally 5-7 days)
How long is the period of infectivity for the varicella-zoster virus?
- Period of infectivity is from 48 hours before rash develops to once lesions have ‘crusted over’ (normally 5-7 days)
What is the presentation of chickenpox?
- Children
- Fever
- Malaise
- Itchy, vasicular rash
- Usually harmless, self-limiting in children
- Adults
- Associated with greater morbidity – hepatitis, pneumonitis and encephalitis
What are some infections that cause complications during pregnancy?
- Chickenpox
- Parvovirus B19
- Toxoplasmosis
- HIV
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Syphilis
What are examples of infections that are screened for during pregnancy?
HIV, Hep B and syphilis are screened for at book in
What investigations are done for chicken pox?
- If exposed but unsure check immunity status by taking serum IgG
- If immune (IgG positive) reassure, if non-immune (IgG negative) offer VZ immunoglobulin as soon as possible
Describe the management of chickenpox?
- Advice to avoid contact with susceptible individuals
- If mild and present within 24 hours of onset of rash
- Oral acyclovir
- If mild and present after 24 hours
- Acyclovir has no role, advice symptomatic treatment and hygiene to prevent secondary bacterial infection
- If severe
- IV acyclovir and admit to hospital
What are possible complications of chicken pox in adults?
- Greater risk of complications in immunocompromised and pregnant woman
- Congenital infection if in first 28 weeks of pregnancy
- Foetal varicella syndrome
- Skin scarring, congenital eye abnormalities, hypoplasia of ipsilateral limbs, neurological abnormalities, no increased risk of miscarriage
- Infection in new-born if infection in last 4 weeks gestation
- Shingles
- Caused by activation of dormant chickenpox virus that was in sensory route ganglion since primary infection
What is parovirus B19 also known as?
- Slapped cheek disease
- Fifth disease
- Erythema infectiosum
How is parovirus B19 transmitted?
- Respiratory droplets
What is the presentation of parovirus B19?
- Children
- Mild, febrile illness
- Fever
- Rash
- Erythema of cheeks
- Adults
- Most are asymptomatic
What investigations are done for parovirus B19?
- Blood tests for immunoglobulin testing
- If positive, offer weekly scans for foetal complications
What is the management of parovirus B19?
- No vaccine or treatment available
What are possible complications of parovirus B19?
- In immunocompromised patients can cause a-platelet anaemia and haemolysis
- During pregnancy can cause foetal anaemia resulting in cardiac failure, hydrops fatalis and foetal death
- Can cause pre-eclampsia in pregnant mother
- Critical exposure period is 12-20 weeks
- Foetal infection is 5 weeks after maternal infection
What is the aetiology of toxoplasmosis?
- Toxoplasma gondii parasite