VZV in Pregnancy

Question 1

Risks of maternal chickenpox

Answer 1

• Pneumonia
• Hepatitis
• Encephalitis
• Mortality

Question 2

Fetal infection

Answer 2

• Rare - 1-2% (no cases documented after 28 weeks)
• Fetal varicella syndrome
  
  • Skin scarring
  • Eye defects
  • Limb hypoplasia
  • Neurological abnormalities (microcephaly, cortical atrophy, mental restriction)
• If maternal infection close to time of delivery treat with aciclovir