[Varicella during pregnancy and in neonates].

Varicella belongs to the most common vaccine-preventable diseases in Germany. During pregnancy, varicella may have serious consequences for the pregnant women and for the fetus or newborn. Pregnant women who contract varicella are at risk of pneumonia which must be regarded as a medical emergency. Chicken pox between the 5th and 24th weeks of pregnancy may lead to the congenital varicella syndrome. In case of maternal varicella during the last few weeks of pregnancy or shortly after delivery, the virus can cause chicken pox in the newborn. Life-threaten ing disseminated neonatal varicella must be expected if the mother develops chicken pox between 5 days before and 2 days after delivery. Using currently available diagnostics, immuno-prophylactic and therapeutic opportunities, these serious consequences of varicella during pregnancy can be prevented.