title: Chickenpox, pregnancy and the newborn.
abstract: In the UK, chickenpox (primary varicella virus infection) is usually a mild, self-limiting disease of childhood. It is more severe in adults. For example, of every 100,000 people who contract chickenpox, around 4-9 die from it, of whom 81-85% are adults. Chickenpox infection in pregnant women can lead to a severe maternal illness and it appears five times more likely to be fatal than in non-pregnant women. Although most women who have chickenpox in pregnancy give birth to healthy children, in other cases, the baby is harmed by in-utero infection or severe varicella of the newborn. Here we review the risks and key aspects of diagnosis and further management of varicella infection in pregnancy and the neonatal period.
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007106:Immune Sera; C030799:varicella-zoster immune globulin; D000212:Acyclovir