What Is Congenital Chickenpox? – Being Parents
It is an infectious process with great endemic capacity, which can seriously affect a pregnant woman.
It is understood that this shingles virus infection does not occur frequently during pregnancy. However, it can cause serious problems during pregnancy. This is because if the pregnant woman has chickenpox, her unborn baby could suffer from a version called congenital chickenpox.
Congenital chickenpox can cause serious problems to the fetus. In addition to the characteristic skin condition, abnormalities in the eyes, damage to the central nervous system and even fetal death can occur.
According to expert assessment, at least 10% of women of childbearing age are at risk of contracting the virus that causes chickenpox. In addition, it is known that most of these women do not have enough antibodies to fight this virus.
How does congenital chickenpox affect the fetus?
The fetus can be affected by chickenpox when the mother is infected during pregnancy. The experience of specialists indicates that the more advanced the pregnancy, the more the fetus is likely to suffer damage.
It is believed that if the mother has chickenpox when she is about to give birth, the baby will be born unable to fight off the virus. As we said, the mother does not have antibodies against the shingles virus, therefore neither does her son.
Likewise, during the first trimester of pregnancy, it is just as dangerous. At this point, the baby is forming, which can cause damage in various ways. The following damage is linked to congenital chickenpox:
- Skin lesions
- Eye defects
- The deterioration of the central nervous system
- Stunted growth
- Microcephaly
- Liver damage
- Kidney problems
- Blindness
- Fetal death
The diagnosis of congenital chickenpox
In addition to the precautions to be taken before and during pregnancy in relation to chickenpox, it is important to follow up. At any prenatal check-up, the problem can be identified. However, the fact that the pregnant woman has the virus implies a greater interest in the situation of the fetus. That is, before the mother’s illness, a series of tests should be applied to check the condition of the baby. Among the most frequent tests we have the following:
- A positive result for this infection is for example to find hypoplasia of the limbs of the fetus. This condition refers to the incomplete development of certain organs or parts of the body. It can be determined in a routine or specialized ultrasound.
- It can be diagnosed by testing amniotic fluid or fetal blood through viral culture or the polymerase chain reaction.
- It can be detected in a cordocentesis test, which involves obtaining a sample of blood from the umbilical cord.
Recommendations for pregnant women
Any woman who is planning a pregnancy should make sure that she is vaccinated against chickenpox. If she is not immune, she is advised to get the vaccine at least six months before conception. In case this is not possible, for example if the pregnancy is unexpected, it is advisable to take extreme precautions.
It is not advisable for pregnant women to be exposed to the virus. Avoid contact with potential contaminants, for example in hospitals or poorly ventilated areas. A pregnant woman should not come into contact with the skin or saliva of a person infected with chickenpox. To be more careful, it is recommended to avoid contact with sick people in general.
