Neonatal varicella: varicella zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) does not prevent disease.
Two infants with severe varicella are reported. They received varicella zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) without concurrent information to parents or carers regarding further care. In both these cases there was a three day delay between the onset of symptoms and initiation of aciclovir. This delay was due to lack of awareness of the high risk of varicella in these infants. Infants born to mothers with onset of chickenpox 4 days before to 2 days after delivery are at risk of fatal varicella, despite the use of VZIG prophylaxis.
Reynolds
L
L
Department of Paediatrics Paediatric Infectious Diseases Unit St Mary's Hospital Medical School London W2 1NY, UK.
Struik
S
S
Nadel
S
S
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007106:Immune Sera; C030799:varicella-zoster immune globulin; D000212:Acyclovir