Intra-uterine fetal death following maternal varicella infection

The association of varicella and pregnancy is very rare since 90% of women of reproductive age are immune. In the literature, a fetal varicella syndrome has been described characterized by multiple congenital malformations. We report here a case of intrauterine fetal death following maternal varicella at 17 weeks amenorrhea, with virological proof of fetal contamination. Because of the rarity of this association and by the same token of the fetal contamination during maternal varicella, the management during pregnancy rests essentially on a valid ultrasonic surveillance.