Infections in pregnancy

Question 1

how does rubella manifest in the mother?

Answer 1

• maculopapular rash
• arthritis
• lymphadenopathy

Question 2

when is the woman most at risk of contracting rubella?

Answer 2

1st trimester

Question 3

complication of rubella infection in neonate?

Answer 3

congenital rubella syndrome:

• sensorineural deafness
• cataracts
• congenital heart defects
• developmental delay

Question 4

Mx of rubella?

Answer 4

• can be screened at booking
• no treatment
• can offer non-immune mothers vaccine post birth

Question 5

maternal presentation of VZV infection?

Answer 5

can present w more severe cases in mother such as varicella pneumonitis

Question 6

complication of VZV infection in neonate?

Answer 6

• if mother infected <20 weeks
  
  • foetal varicella syndrome
    
    • developmental delay
    • deafness
    • skin scarring
• if mother infected around time of giving birth
  
  • severe neonatal varicella infection

Question 7

Mx of VZV?

Answer 7

• post exposure –> IV VZV immunoglobulins within 10 days
• severe infection–> Aciclovir