Varicella pneumonia during pregnancy. Treatment of two cases with acyclovir.
Pneumonia is a rare but serious complication of varicella during pregnancy. Maternal mortality has been reported to be 41% with fetal and neonatal mortality at 65%. Treatment has included respiratory support and prophylactic antibiotics. Acyclovir has been prescribed with the intent to decrease the impact of the infection. It was added to the treatment protocol of two cases of varicella pneumonia in pregnancy. Despite the high maternal and perinatal mortality both pairs of patients and infants survived. Acyclovir did not appear to adversely influence the fetus, and may have contributed to the survival of mother and child.
Eder
S E
SE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103.
Apuzzio
J J
JJ
Weiss
G
G
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D000212:Acyclovir