#PAEDIATRICS(NEET Pattern)
A pregnant lady acquires chickenpox 3 days before delivery. She delivers a baby by normal vaginal route. Which of the following statement is TRUE?
A. Both mother and baby are safe
B. Give antiviral treatment to mother before delivery
C. Give antiviral treatment to baby
D. Baby will develop neonatal varicella syndrome
Answer is D. i.e. Baby will develop neonatal varicella syndrome
Since the lady developed chickenpox 3 days before delivery and has delivered through vaginal route neonate is most likely to develop congenital varicella syndrome.
Perinatal varicella is associated with a high mortality rate when the maternal disease develops within 5 days before delivery or 48 h thereafter.This is because the newborn does not receive protective transplacental antibodies and has an immature immune system.
Principal manifestations of congenital varicella syndrome are:
▪️Skin lesions
▪️Microphthalmia, chorioretinitis, cataract, atrophy of optic nerve
▪️Neurosensorial deafness or hyperacusis
▪️Microcephaly, calcifications, cerebral atrophy, hydrocephalus, mental retardation
▪️Limb hypoplasia or paresis
2 Comments
What is the management in this case?
ReplyDeleteProphylaxis or treatment is required with VZIG and acyclovir. Without these drugs, mortality rates may be as high as 30%. The primary causes of death are severe pneumonia and fulminant hepatitis.
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