[Abnormal fetal ultrasound findings after maternal chickenpox infection]

Abstract

Chicken pox infection in the first and early in the second trimester can lead to intrauterine infection and a 2% risk of developing congenital varicella syndrome (CVS). CVS is characterized by one or more of the following malformations: hypoplasia of a limb, scarring of the skin, microcephaly, cataract, microophthalmia, cerebellar dysplasia, gastrointestinal malformations and urogenital malformations. Most of these malformations can be seen by ultrasound. Foetal viral infection can also lead to intrauterine growth retardation, polyhydramnios and hydrops foetalis. This paper is a review of the literature with the focus on ultrasound findings in CVS. The options for performing prenatal diagnostic tests and the consequences of maternal varicella zoster (chickenpox) for prenatal care are discussed.