Congenital varicella syndrome
Foetal infection with varicella was first described in 1947. The varicella syndrome is the result of varicella zoster infection early in pregnancy.
- characteristic features of foetal varicella syndrome include segmental areas of skin loss or scarring; limb hypoplasia and/or paresis; reduced birth weight
- less common features include microcephaly, neurological anomalies (e.g. hypotonia) and ophthalmological abnormalities that may not be evident at birth.
Foetal varicella syndrome is believed result from viral reactivation in utero rather than the initial foetal infection, with subsequent replication in foetal ganglia, neurones and innervated tissues.
Reference:
- Sejal M. Congenital Varicella Syndrome. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.2023 Mar 6.
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