Varicella in the Peripartum Period

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes the highly contagious childhood exanthem commonly known as chickenpox. These illnesses are typically self-limited with few complications. However, varicella infection acquired during pregnancy or the neonatal period can have devastating consequences. Congenital varicella syndrome, neonatal varicella infection, and maternal varicella pneumonia are complications that can occur in rare cases and are associated with serious morbidity and mortality in the neonate or mother. Fortunately, varicella in pregnancy is an infrequent occurrence that is attributable to the advent of widespread varicella vaccination and acquired immunity during childhood period.