Congenital varicella syndrome.

The fetal consequences of chickenpox complicating pregnancy depends on the period of gestation at which the infection is contracted. The extremely rare classical form of congenital varicella syndrome, resulting from maternal varicella infection in the first trimester of pregnancy, is being reported here. The unusual features in this baby are bilateral hypoplastic lower extremities, fracture of bones, a normal electroencephalogram and phantom hernias of the anterior abdominal wall.