Chicken pox (varicella infection) during pregnancy can cause multiple foetal anomalies and foetal wastage. It is a known teratogenic agent. The teratogenic effects are:

• Cutaneous scars
• Microcephaly
• Atrophic limbs
• Microphthalmia
• Congenital cataract
• Chorioretinitis
• Low birth weight (LBW)
• Cerebrocortical atrophy
• Deafness

If infection in the mother develops within 5 days of delivery, there is risk of disseminated varicella infection in the infant. The infant should be given varicella immunoglobulin.

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