Chickenpox and pregnancy

Varicella-zoster primary infection in a pregnant woman is an uncommon occurrence in France, but can cause concern for patients and for clinicians. Varicella (chickenpox) is usually benign, but can have serious consequences for the mother (especially in the third trimester of pregnancy), for the fetus (risk of fetal varicella syndrome particularly if maternal primary infection occurs before 20 weeks of gestation), and for the newborn (risk of congenital neonatal varicella if the mother is infected in the peripartum period). Several diagnostic tools, prophylaxis measures and antiviral treatments are currently available and help in the management of varicella during pregnancy.