Chickenpox Vaccine During Pregnancy

Chickenpox is caused by varicella-zoster virus. Adults who get chickenpox usually have ore severe illness than children do. Pregnant women who get this infoection are more likely than other adults to have it complictated with other illnesses, such as pneumonia.

Depending on when the infection occurs in pregnancy, it can harm the fetus in various ways. Early in pregnancy it can cause the fetus to form abnormally or even die. When the mother gets chicken-pox before a week from delivery, the baby may be born with chicken-pox or may be protected by the mother's antibodies. Babies born with chickenpox usually recover completely. If the mother gets chickenpox within a week of delivery, however, there is no time for her antibodies to develop and cross the placenta to protect the baby. These babies are more likely to become seriously ill and may die.

Because it is so easily transmitted, pregnant women who are not immune to chickenpox should stay away from infected persons especially near the time of their delivery. They should also avoid contact with a person who has shingles, because this disease is another form of infection with varicella-zoster virus. If a pregnant woman does become infected, a drug called varicella-zoster immunoglobulin may prevent her from developing serious illness if it is given within 96 hours of exposure. Varicella-zoste immunoglobulin may nor protect the fetus from the infection, however. Infants whose mathers were infected a few days before birth should receive varicella-zoster immunoglobulin after birth to prevent them from developing series illness, too. A vaccine for the virus that causes chickenpox is being developed.