The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology
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Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Feb 2008
ReviewVaricella and the pregnant woman: prevention and management.
Infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) is often considered a childhood 'right of passage'; however, primary infection occurring in women of child-bearing age can have significant adverse consequences both for the mother and for her fetus. During the first trimester, primary VZV infection may result in stillbirth or a baby born with the stigmata of the congenital varicella syndrome, while infection in the peripartum period can result in neonatal varicella, which carries a significant mortality rate despite appropriate antiviral therapy. ⋯ Determining a woman's serostatus prior to pregnancy is advised, as effective vaccines are now available and should be administered to non-pregnant seronegative women of child-bearing age. Clinical practice guidelines for management of a pregnant woman exposed to VZV are presented.