Fetal varicella syndrome

Researchers believe that a developing fetus’ defense mechanisms against infection, or the immune system, isn’t able to mount a response to the invading virus, resulting in the signs and symptoms of fetal varicella syndrome. The earlier the exposure, the likelihood of developing the condition.

Researchers believe that fetal varicella syndrome results from damage to the nervous system during early development. The varicella virus invades the fetal nerves. This can interfere with the nerve signals to certain parts of the body while the baby is still developing. This nerve damage results in many of the abnormalities associated with fetal varicella syndrome.

Several eye abnormalities may result from fetal varicella syndrome including: abnormally small eyes, abnormal clouding of the lenses of the eyes (cataracts), and involuntary, rapid, eye movements. Additionally, the lining of the back of the eyes, or the retina, and the layer of blood vessels behind the retina may become inflamed. This inflammation, called chorioretinitis, may lead to scarring. This scarring could lead to blurred vision and abnormal sensitivity to light.

Varicella, also called chicken pox, is a viral infection that usually occurs primarily in childhood, although adults can get varicella too. The most common symptoms include a low grade fever, a rash, which first appears as small reddish spots, body aches and ulcers. In some cases, pneumonia may develop. Rarer complications include bleeding disorders, encephalitis and cellulitis.

The treatment of fetal varicella syndrome is highly variable, due to the wide range and severity of the possible symptoms. Oftentimes, the treatment may require the coordinated effort of many specialists like pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, neurologists, ophthalmologists, surgeons, and/or physical therapists.

After someone has chicken pox, the virus remains inactive in the nerves of the spine. If the virus is activated again, it can cause shingles. Shingles appear as painful blisters that are usually only on a small area of the body.

Fetal Varicella Syndrome is a group of birth defects that can include scars on the skin, eye problems, poor growth, underdevelopment of an arm or leg, small head size, delayed development and intellectual disability. Some babies will only have one of the problems, while others have some, or all. These defects occur as a result of an infection with the virus that causes chicken pox, called Varicella zoster.

Neonatal varicella can be very serious. There is a 20-30% chance the baby could die if they are not treated with antiviral medicine (VZIG).

Fetal varicella syndrome and its associated birth defects are caused by an infection during pregnancy with the virus that causes chicken pox, called Varicella zoster virus. Fetal varicella syndrome is acquired and not inherited The condition results from a maternal chicken pox infection. Fetal varicella syndrome is not associated with a specific gene.

Fetal varicella syndrome has a wide range and severity of associated symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms are scars on the skin, eye problems, and underdeveloped arms or legs. In some cases, newborns with fetal varicella syndrome may also have abnormalities of the brain and nervous system and developmental delays.

If you develop chicken pox 5 days or less before delivery, or 1-2 days after delivery, there is a 20-25% chance your newborn baby could develop chicken pox. Chicken pox during this time period is called neonatal varicella. This can can be very severe.

If chicken pox develops between 6 and 21 days before delivery, there is still a chance your newborn could develop neonatal varicella. However, your baby will receive some protection from your newly made chicken pox antibodies, and the infection will probably be mild.

If you have had chicken pox or the chicken pox vaccination, you have antibodies to the chicken pox virus. This virus is the same one that causes shingles. Your antibodies will prevent the virus from multiplying in your body. The exposure to shingles will not cause you to develop chicken pox or shingles, so there is no risk to your baby.

Your healthcare provider can use a targeted [section id="8344″ target=”_blank”>ultrasound[/section] to look for limb defects and brain problems that may have been caused by chicken pox infection. This ultrasound is usually done between 18 and 22 weeks in pregnancy. Sometimes the ultrasound can show extra amniotic fluid, liver problems, or severe swelling of the fetus that chicken pox may have caused. It is important to remember that an ultrasound cannot pick up all birth defects that can be caused by chicken pox during pregnancy.

The critical time period for the varicella virus infecting a fetus is during early pregnancy, with the highest risk between 8 and 20 weeks. Infections during this time period are more likely to result in fetal varicella syndrome.

Fetal varicella syndrome is acquired and not inherited The condition results from a maternal chicken pox infection.

If you show any symptoms of fetal varicella syndrome, then you should contact your doctor immediately. Many times a clinical assessment is all that is needed. However, certain times a laboratory assessment is needed. Polymerase chain reactions(PCR) and be used to directly test skin lesions. At other times, antibody assessment is done to see if the patient has a current or past infection or has been immunized for the condition.

The chicken pox virus has not been found in breast milk of women with a chicken pox infection. Breast milk may contain antibodies that can protect your baby from getting the chicken pox. Trying to prevent your baby from coming into direct contact with your rash will lower the chance of your baby getting infected. Your newborn baby will not develop fetal varicella syndrome from breast milk. Fetal varicella syndrome is acquired prior to 20 weeks development.

When a person has chicken pox, they make antibodies to the virus. These antibodies last a long time and make a person immune to chicken pox. People who are immune most likely will not develop chicken pox if they are exposed again.

If you are unsure if you have ever had or been exposed to the virus that causes chicken pox, your healthcare provider can run a simple blood test that looks for antibodies to the virus.

In a large study of chicken pox exposure during pregnancy, there was no evidence of fetal harm in 366 pregnant women who developed shingles.

The greatest risk for birth defects is when the mother develops chicken pox between 8 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. The risk for birth defects due to chicken pox infection in the first trimester of pregnancy is 0.5-1%. If chicken pox occurs between 13 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, the risk for birth defects is about 1.5-2%.

To date, no cases of chicken pox in pregnant women have occurred after exposure to healthy children who have received the varicella vaccine. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics state that pregnancy in a mother or other household member is not felt to be a reason to avoid giving a child the vaccine.

Currently, there have been no studies looking at the possible risks to a pregnancy when the father has chicken pox. In general, exposures that fathers have are unlikely to increase any risks to the pregnancy.

The makers of the vaccine recommend waiting three months before trying to conceive. Some people develop a rash after receiving the vaccine, and if a rash is present, it is possible to infect another person. Alternately, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a woman wait at least one month after receiving the vaccine before becoming pregnant.

In a registry of 789 women who received the varicella vaccine, there was no increase in birth defects over the general population risk. However, it is not recommended that pregnant women get the chickenpox vaccine. Be sure to talk to your health care provider before receiving any vaccines during your pregnancy.

The virus from the mother does not always infect a developing baby. When a mother has chicken pox before 24 weeks about 10% of developing babies are infected by the virus. However, even if the virus infects the developing baby, only a small number of babies develop fetal varicella syndrome. The virus is more likely to pass through the placenta after 24 weeks in pregnancy, when the chance for fetal varicella syndrome is very low.

Most babies born to women who have chicken pox during pregnancy are healthy. However, about 1-3% of the babies whose mother had chicken pox during pregnancy have one or more birth defects due to the infection.

Varicella, or chicken pox, is highly contagious and spreads from person to person by touching the fluid from the blisters on the skin or through the air from an infected person’s coughing or sneezing. An infected person can be contagious for up to 5 days before the onset of the rash and remain infectious until the blisters form scabs. Fetal varicella syndrome is therefore acquired and not inherited The condition results from a maternal chicken pox infection.

A diagnosis of fetal varicella syndrome is made based one or more physical findings in a developing baby or newborn whose mother had chicken pox during pregnancy. Laboratory testing can also be performed.

Fetal varicella syndrome is rare. The condition occurs in about 1% of babies whose mothers were diagnosed with chicken pox during pregnancy. Only about 1-10 of every 10,000 pregnant women are affected with chicken pox. Exposure is most dangerous when it occurs prior to 20 weeks gestation. After 20 weeks, the risk is lower.

The best way to protect against chicken pox is to get vaccinated. Women should get vaccinated at least one to three months before becoming pregnant. Speak with your doctor if you are already pregnant, as vaccination during pregnancy is not usually recommended. Additionally, anyone who lives with a pregnant woman should get vaccinated against the chicken pox.

If a non-immune pregnant woman is exposed to chickenpox during pregnancy, an antiviral treatment should be given as soon as possible after exposure. Varicella zoster immunoglobulin (VZIG) provides protection from the virus. VZIG is most effective if used within 72 hours of exposure.

The chicken pox virus has not been found in breast milk of women receiving the vaccine. Be sure to speak to your health care provider about all your choices for breastfeeding.

Pregnant women who get chickenpox are at risk for some serious complications, including developing pneumonia. Pneumonia occurs in 10-20% of women who get the chickenpox during pregnancy, with a chance of death as high as 40%.

Congenital varicella syndrome, fetal varicella zoster syndrome, fetal varicella-herpes zoster syndrome, and varicella embryopathy are all other names for fetal varicella syndrome.

Children born with fetal varicella syndrome have an increased susceptibility to the herpes zoster infection, or shingles, during the first two years of life. Some babies can exhibit a small head size, developmental delays and learning disabilities. The vision abnormalities can also be long term.