Transmission from mother to unborn child is relatively rare. However, if it occurs, and in the first or second trimester (third trimester of pregnancy), it can lead to the so-called fetal varicella syndrome. This refers to a combination of different diseases and malformations of the newborn. These include:
- Skin lesions such as scars, ulcerations (ulcers).
- Neurological disorders such as brain atrophy, paralysis or seizures.
- Eye diseases such as cataract (corneal opacity), chorioretinitis (inflammation of the choroid (choroid) with retinal (retina) involvement).
- Skeletal malformations
If the mother’s disease occurs five days before to two days after delivery, the newborn may develop a severe varicella infection. This infection leads to death in approximately 30% of affected newborns.
If varicella infection is suspected, laboratory diagnostics should always be performed in pregnant women to assess the risk to the newborn and initiate therapy.
