VARICELLA INFECTION AND TOXOPLASMOSIS IN PREGNANCY

Varicella occurring in pregnancy can be dangerous for the fetus, the m other, and the newborn. The fetus may experience multiple system damag e. The mother and newborn are at increased risk for varicella pneumoni a with a 9% and 20% fatality rate, respectively. The recent introducti on of the varicella vaccine will affect the occurrence of gestational infection. Toxoplasmosis is rarely dangerous for the pregnant woman, y et the fetus and newborn may be at risk for chorioretinitis, hydroceph alus, intracranial calcifications, and convulsions. The greatest chall enge in the management of toxoplasmosis in pregnancy is diagnosis of t he asymptomatic newborn before damage occurs. Strategies to prevent to xoplasmosis should be taught to every pregnant woman as part of routin e prenatal care.