Pregnancy is a time of physical and emotional changes for the couple. But, especially for the woman, who carries a new life in her womb. Therefore, prenatal preparation becomes a strategy to prevent any type of complication. This is how you should know everything about diseases such as chickenpox, which can seriously endanger the health of the mother and the fetus.
In fact, the varicella zoster virus is extremely contagious, mainly affecting infants. But, adults who have not been vaccinated can become infected and have acute symptoms. As long as those already immunized, they face less danger, but they can be reached by the virus, with mild symptoms. In the same way, pregnant women can be infected, putting the development and life of the fetus at risk.1
Chickenpox can lead to pregnancy complications
Thus, like the chickenpox vaccine, it is found as an option in disease prevention programs in health institutions. However, women of childbearing age must comply with the inoculation schedule. In such a way, that they minimize the risks, especially since the contagion can be easily given.1
In reality, chickenpox is spread by direct contact with the affected person’s skin. However, body fluids, coughs and sneezes, present for days before the appearance of the itchy vesicles, are also a means of infection. Therefore, if a woman is pregnant or plans to become pregnant soon, she should refrain from visiting infected people and take a little extra care of herself.2
Similarly, varicella zoster can cross the placenta, causing embryopathies and congenital malformations; affecting the brain, limbs, eyes, and digestive system; in the first trimester of pregnancy. In addition, it comes to restrict the growth of the fetus and can become a cause of mortality. 2
Likewise, neonatal chickenpox can develop in the peripartum stage, with few complications. Because antibodies from the mother have been passed. However, congenital chickenpox; that appears in the first month of life; they have a reserved diagnosis, because their outcome in a high percentage is fatal.3
In summary…
We can say that chickenpox in pregnancy implies a very high maternal-fetal risk. Since, the mother can have respiratory complications and bacterial infections, which can reach pneumonia. While the fetus, depending on the stage it is in, may present malformations, encephalitis or neurological damage. In the same way, because of this virus the life of both the mother and the embryo is endangered. 3
Therefore, although chickenpox is not as common in pregnancy, it carries a latent risk that must be prevented. Thus, the inoculation against this virus must be included in the growth and development programs of infants. In addition to being a priority in women in the fertile stage. Since, in pregnancy it is contraindicated. Apart from this, if chickenpox is contracted during pregnancy, clinical treatment is necessary, under gyneco-obstetric supervision, to take care of maternal-fetal health.
References:
- Agüero SAC, Salazar MJ, Valverde JA. Chickenpox in pregnancy, a potentially dangerous infection for the mother and fetus. Synergy Medical Journal. [internet]2020 [consultado 20 mayo 2021]; 5 (02): 331-331. Available in: https://www.medigraphic.com/cgi-bin/new/resumen.cgi?IDARTICULO=92100.
- Rooms N Rodrigo, Silva F Cecilia. Fetal varicella syndrome. Rev. chil. pediatr. [Internet]. Jun 2003 [citado 2021 mayo 20]; 74 (3): 299-303. Available in:
http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0370-41062003000300008&lng=es.
- Katia Abarca V. Infections in pregnant women transmissible to the fetus. Rev. Chil Infect. [internet] 2003 [consultado 20 mayo 2021]; 20 (Suppl 1): S41-S46. Available in: https://scielo.conicyt.cl/pdf/rci/v20s1/art07.pdf.