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Maternal (Expert Forum)
Newborn - Chicken Pox
Patient medical question and answer from The Maternal and Child Health Forum. Health topic area and articles about newborn care
Newborn - Chicken Pox
by Lynete, Feb 05, 1999 12:00AM
My sister's new baby is four weeks old and has been exposed to chicken pox.
She was exposed as long ago as 2 weeks. She is fussy today and most likely is
coming down with the illness. My question is - Is there anything special we
should do for a newborn in regards to treating chicken pox? Any suggestions
will be appreciated. Thank you.
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Dear Lynette :
Any baby less than 8 weeks of age with a fever of 100.4 F or 38 C rectally ( which may occur with any viral or bacterial infection ) has to be evaluated by a health care professional. Blood tests may have to be drawn , a urine test maybe done , and any suspicion of meningitis would warrant a lumbar puncture for spinal fluid examination . The history of your niece being exposed to chicken pox does not change that management .
Any patient presenting with the typical lesions of chicken pox has to be isolated from other children ( i.e ; if she is in a day care setting ) until no new lesions develop and all old lesions are dry and crusted ( about 5-7 days ) . fever is covered by antipyretics ( NO ASPIRIN ) ( some suggest even no ibuprofen ) , AVEENO baths maybe helpful to reduce the itching . Don’t use calamine lotion that contains an antihistamine . Consult your pediatrician on the need and dose of antihistamines ( anti-itch medicine ) , consider their side-effects before you give them.
If the mother has had chicken pox and continues to produce high levels of antibodies against the virus , the baby is probably immune and may escape this exposure . This passive immunity ( from mom )tends to gradually disappear by 6-12 months of age.
Thank you for your question
Disclaimer : this information is for educational purposes only . Your physician is ultimately responsible for your health care , diagnosis and treatment
keywords : chicken pox*, varicella * ( infectious disease ), newborn
