[Varicella zoster virus infections in pregnancy]

Varicella in pregnancy are a rare event, but they may result in severe disease of child. During the first and second trimenon they may cause congenital defects, so-called congenital varicella syndrome. Primary infections with the varicella-zoster virus are also a risk shortly before or during delivery because of intrauterine transmission of the virus with subsequent connatal varicella. On the basis of own clinic-virological investigations there is reported on 27 women and their newborns affected with varicella during pregnancy. Measures for diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapy in the case of congenital varicella syndrome as well as connatal varicella are discussed.