Questions in the
Maternal and Child Health Forum
have been answered by
doctors from Henry Ford Health System.
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Subject: Re: Varicella (Chicken pox) Considering that a six-year child is suffering from chicken pox (first week),what precautions should a pregnant woman, in her early stages of pregnancy take? What are the problems/side effects (if any) on the foetus or the mother, if she is in contact with the child? The mother, however, had been vaccinated against chicken pox during her childhood. Please provide complete details about the nature or any symptoms that may indicate problems that may occur during pregnancy or in the future. Kindly also provide necessary precautions to be taken.
_______ The varicella zoster virus can cross the placenta during the 1st and early second trimesters of pregnancy, possibly producing congenital varicella syndrome with concomitant developmental and neurological problems. If your wife had chicken pox as a child, this should not be a concern. However you state that she was "vaccinated against chicken pox in her childhood"....this vaccination has only been available in the past few years, so I doubt she received a vaccination against the virus. Your wife's obstetrician can draw blood titers that could tell if she was immune to chicken pox, and possibly put your minds at rest. Depending on the ammount of exposure and when she was exposed, the doctor may prescribe VZIG (zoster immunoglobulin) to provide passive prevention. I encourage you to discuss this immediately with the doctor. HFHS.RN-AM *KEYWORD: congenital varicella syndrome, varicella zoster, chicken pox, varicella immunoglobulin | |
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