Title: Neonatal Varicella Pneumonia: A Rare Presentation
Authors: Dr Abhay Garg, Dr Maninder Singh, Dr Santosh Kumar, Dr Abhay Kumar
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i2.160
Abstract
Chickenpox is a common infectious disease in children, but rare in pregnant women. An infant whose mother develops chickenpox rash 4 days antepartum to 2 days postpartum, may develop disseminated neonatal varicella with extensive cutaneous and visceral involvement resulting in a fatal outcome. The neonatal varicella pneumonia in the newborn is accompanied by a high rate of death. We report a case of severe varicella pneumonia in a newborn infected with the transplacentally transmitted chickenpox virus. The clinical picture was associated with an infectious syndrome, severe respiratory distress and a scattered skin rash of macules, vesicles, and scabs suggestive of varicella. Chest Radiography showed diffuse interstitial opacities in both lungs. Treatment with injectable acyclovir combined with supportive therapy has led to improved outcome. Varicella pneumonia in the newborn is associated with high mortality, but treatment with injectable aciclovir can provide cure. Intravenous prophylaxis of acyclovir or multivalent immunoglobulin in the newborn reduces the severity and mortality of perinatal varicella.
Keywords: Neonatal Chickenpox; Varicella pneumonia; Acyclovir.
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