Chickenpox Exposure in Pregnancy

Key points

• Chickenpox is caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus. Shingles is reactivation of dormant virus in dorsal root ganglion. In pregnancy there is a risk to both the mother and also the fetus,
• risk of FVS following maternal varicella exposure is around 1% if occurs before 20 weeks gestation
• studies have shown a very small number of cases occurring between 20-28 weeks gestation and none following 28 weeks
• features of FVS include skin scarring, eye defects (microphthalmia), limb hypoplasia, microcephaly and learning disabilities Other risks to the fetus
• shingles in infancy: 1-2% risk if maternal exposure in the second or third trimester