Varicella-zoster virus infection and pregnancy

Abstract

Varicella-zoster virus is a herpes virus that causes mild to moderate disease when primary infection (chickenpox) is acquired in childhood, but leading to great morbidity and mortality in adults, with even more complications in pregnant women. As a physiologic adaptation in pregnancy that diminishes the possibility of fetal rejection, the altered maternal immune system is the reason why complications are more frequent in this segment of adult population. Moreover, a great concern is represented by the risk of vertical transmission to the fetus that can lead to congenital varicella syndrome (CVS) in the first 2 trimesters or to neonatal varicella if the mother develops the illness perinatally. Antiviral treatment reduces the gravity of the clinical manifestations, but the existent data shows that it doesn’t influence the rate of fetal transmission. Immunoglobulin anti-VZV (VZIG) can be given as prophylaxis when there has been described contact with the virus. Vaccination should be offered to all non-immunized women at the prenatal visit to diminish the maternal and fetal risks in case of subsequent exposure. The purpose of this review is to update the current understanding regarding the best management of varicella infection in pregnancy, based on the latest data from literature and guidelines. An electronic research for relevant reviews and articles published in the last 5 years was made, using PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Data Base, and also the current international guidelines promoted by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Societies in Canada, United States, Ireland and United Kingdom. The importance of prenatal detection of non-immunized women by serologic testing for varicella antibodies should not be overlooked, and subsequent vaccination should be advised to lower the significant complications associated with developing the disease in pregnancy. In case of varicella infection in pregnancy, adequate treatment should be immediately initiated with immunoglobulin and antivirals. Careful follow-up with serial fetal echography should assess if there are abnormalities of fetal development consistent with congenital varicella syndrome. Future mothers need to be advised about the probability of vertical transmission and the associated fetal malformations. Future consideration must focus on identifying the woman at childbearing age at risk and facilitate the vaccination.