Chickenpox in Pregnancy

Investigations

• test mother for IgG antibodies to varicella-zoster

Complications of chickenpox in pregnancy

Mother

• Risk of pneumonitis

Foetus

• encephalitis, hepatitis
• 1st 12 weeks -  not such a big risk
• 12-24 weeks - risk
  • scarring,
  • blindness,
  • distortion of limbs,
  • intracranial calcification,
  • microencephaly

If mother at risk

• treat mother with acyclovir
• if exposure of mother then VZV-Ig
  • within 7 days of contact
  • can prevent infection
  • prevents transmission to neonate

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