Neonatal Varicella

Abstract

The purpose of this communication is to augment the recorded clinical experiences concerning the effect on babies born of mothers with active varicella. It is based on 18 of these mothers whose lesions were first noted in the period 14 days prior, to three days after delivery (Table). ObservationsThe diagnosis was based on inspection of the type and course of the skin lesions. With one exception all the mothers were of Puerto Rican extraction, relatively recently arrived in New York City. The data were accumulated over the seven-year period 1956 through 1962.

Viral teratology.

“…Varicella-Zoster Virus Varicella (chickenpox) and zoster (shingles) lesions are caused by the same virus. Congenital infection associated with maternal chickenpox or herpes zoster infection has been reported (2,16). Infection early in gestation has led to prematurity, stillbirth, or abortion.…”