Varicella zoster virus is the one behind chicken
pox. According to studies, around 85-90% of the women has already been
exposed to the virus and attained immunity, while others may not have faced the
infection earlier. It is essential to get the Varicella zoster virus test done
before you plan conception as otherwise you would risk the baby to serious
birth defects or a severe deformity or illness depending on the stage of
pregnancy that the virus infection occurs. The Varicella zoster virus test
basically ascertains whether the antibodies for Varicella zoster virus are
present in the mom-to-be.
If the woman does not have the immunity for Varicella zoster
virus, she needs to be vaccinated before the conception takes place. Even if
the woman contacts the virus during pregnancy,
she can be effectively treated so that the severity of the impact can be
annulled or lessened.
Why is Varicella Zoster
Virus Screening Important?
It has been found that about 10 % of the women falling under
the child bearing age are susceptible to Varicella
zoster virus. Its occurrence rate is
0.01% or 1 in 10, 0000. Its impact can be really hard if it occurs too early or
too late in the pregnancy. Varicella zoster virus can cause some serious
repercussions in the fetus in the form of birth defects that can comprise:
- Structural
deformation that can affects the muscles or bones
- The
limbs can be malformed or even paralyzed
- The
head can be smaller than usual
- The
child can be mentally retarded
Although these symptoms are found to appear in just 2% of
the babies whose mothers are infected by Varicella zoster virus, but
considering the impacts, it is always advisable to ensure that the child is
born healthy.
If the infection occurs after the 20th week of the
pregnancy, the severity of birth defect lessens down. And if the infection
strikes in the third semester, the Varicella zoster virus can affect the
central nervous system hereby leading to serious complications. Whether the
fetus has developed any birth defect due to Varicella zoster virus, can be
detected with the help of an ultrasound
test.
Risks to the Newborn
Due to Varicella Zoster Virus
The importance of the screening becomes important when you
know that Varicella zoster virus can prove to be a great threat to the newborn.
If the mother happens to develop a chicken pox rash anywhere between five days
prior to the delivery or two days following the delivery, there is a 25-50%
chance of the baby getting affected. And they tend to develop a Varicella zoster
virus rash just within 5-10 days of birth. The impact can be serious to near
fatal.
It is then important to neutralise the virus with the help
of an injection comprising of Varicella zoster immune globulin which can
effectively reduce the infection to a milder form. This is because the immune
globulin comprises of a collection of disease fighting antibodies which of
course includes the Varicella antibodies. And if the symptoms in the baby are
too acute despite the medications, antiviral drugs like acyclovir are
prescribed. If the woman contacts the Varicella zoster virus 1-3 weeks prior to
the delivery date, the baby faces the risk of mild infection.
Vaccination
When the woman who is not immune to Varicella zoster virus
is vaccinated, it is important to ensure that conception occurs only after a
period of at least one month. Thorough medical monitoring is very important in
this regard. It is also important that pregnant women do not go for vaccination
as it can create a whole lot of complication for the mother as well as the
fetus.
