[Treatment of congenital varicella with acyclovir]

We describe three newborns who developed varicella six hours, five or eight days after delivery. Because of the high lethality rate of congenital varicella treatment with acyclovir appeared to be indicated. Acyclovir was administered intravenously in a dosage of 3 X 5, 3 X 7.5, and 3 X 10 mg/kg/day for three to five days. All patients showed prompt clinical improvement and the skin lesions disappeared. Side effects were not observed. Dependent on the dosage radioimmunological determination of acyclovir serum levels revealed basic values between less than 0.34 to 13.9 mumol/l; peak levels ranged from 14.0 to 70.2 mumol/l. Our preliminary results demonstrate that acyclovir can be successfully used to treat congenital varicella. A dosage of at least 3 X 7.5 mg/kg/day is recommended.