Chickenpox and pregnancy: What are the concerns?

Chickenpox during pregnancy does pose a small risk to the fetus.

Rarely, chickenpox (varicella) in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy can result in multiple birth defects (congenital varicella syndrome), which include:

• Scars on the skin
• Muscle and bone defects
• Malformed limbs
• Smaller than normal head
• Blindness
• Mental retardation

In addition, chickenpox in the last week of pregnancy can put the newborn at risk of severe chickenpox infection at birth.

A pregnant woman who is susceptible to chickenpox and has been exposed to the disease should contact her doctor promptly. A doctor will likely recommend injection with varicella-zoster immune globulin (VZIG), which contains antibodies to the chickenpox virus. When given within 72 hours after exposure, VZIG helps prevent chickenpox or reduces its severity. VZIG is safe for mother and fetus. However, it is not known whether VZIG prevents fetal infection.

A pregnant woman who develops chickenpox can be treated with oral antiviral drugs to reduce the severity of the disease. This is important because pregnant women are at increased risk of complications of chickenpox, such as pneumonia.

Chickenpox in a newborn can be treated with VZIG. If given promptly, VZIG usually reduces the severity of the infection. If serious symptoms develop despite use of VZIG, antiviral drugs may be recommended for the newborn.