[Fetal varicella syndrome]

To attract attention to the increasing number of pregnant women with varicella disease and to the importance of varicella vaccine in the prevention of fetal varicella disease.

The data sets of the Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities, Genetic and Teratologic Counseling Clinic and Periconceptional ("Optimal Family Planning") Clinic were evaluated.

There was an increasing reporting rate of pregnant women with varicella disease in the Hungarian Case-Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities and particularly in the Genetic and Teratologic Counseling Clinic. In these cases the risk for fetal varicella disease is low (1%) thus consulting physicians cannot indicate elective termination of these pregnancies without definitive diagnosis of any congenital abnormalities. However, this 1% risk causes an anxiety in pregnant women, and the outcome of a fetal varicella disease could be severe, as it is demonstrated by a case reported here.

It is necessary to clarify previous varicella disease in the history of every woman before their planned pregnancy. In case of negative or unsure history it is necessary to recommend the administration of varicella vaccine available in Hungary before conception.