title: Varicella-zoster virus infections in pregnancy.
abstract: Varicella-zoster virus can cause a distinct congenital syndrome, a potentially fatal neonatal infection and life-threatening maternal illness. Physicians can reduce morbidity from these conditions by advising nonimmune pregnant women to avoid exposure to chickenpox and herpes zoster and, when indicated, by promptly administering varicella-zoster immune globulin. When prevention fails, acyclovir may be effective therapy.
authors.affiliation: Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Strangarity
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000209:etiology; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000151:congenital / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000628:therapy; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D007106:Immune Sera; C030799:varicella-zoster immune globulin