Congenital Varicella-Zoster Infection Related to Maternal Disease in Early Pregnancy

Varicella in a newborn with scarring cutaneous lesions and symptoms of neurological damage occurred following maternal varicella at the 14th-19th weeks of pregnancy. A high titer of complement-fixing antibodies to varicella virus was found at birth, decreasing to a low level at 6 months of age and then increasing. Neutralizing antibodies to herpes simplex viruses types I and II were not present. Electron microscopy demonstrated viral particles of the herpes group in the fluid of a zoster vesicle of the 10th week of life. Neuromotor disturbances affecting the deglutition resulted in recurring aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, marasmus and death.