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VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 3 ( July-September, 2022 ) > List of Articles

REVIEW ARTICLE

Congenital and Perinatal Varicella Infections

Akash Sharma, Mohammad Mozibur Rahman, Suresh B Boppana

Keywords : Congenital varicella syndrome, Herpes zoster, Neonatal varicella, Postexposure prophylaxis, Varicella–zoster virus, Vesicular rash, Varicella zoster immunoglobulin

Citation Information : Sharma A, Rahman MM, Boppana SB. Congenital and Perinatal Varicella Infections. 2022; 1 (3):278-286.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-11002-0040

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 07-10-2022

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2022; The Author(s).


Abstract

Varicella–zoster virus (VZV) is a human pathogen of the α-herpesvirus family. Some fetuses infected in utero around 8–20 weeks of pregnancy show signs of congenital varicella syndrome (CVS). Infants born to mothers who develop varicella within 5 days before and 2 days after delivery can experience severe disease with increased mortality. The best diagnostic modality is polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which can be done using vesicular swabs or scrapings, scabs from crusted lesions, tissue from biopsy samples, and cerebrospinal fluid. The prevention and management of varicella infections include vaccination, anti-VZV immunoglobulin, and specific antiviral drugs. In this article, we have reviewed the characteristics of VZV, clinical manifestations, management of perinatal infections, and short- and long-term prognosis.

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