Investigation of the clinical manifestations of herpes zoster during pregnancy and its impact on the perinatal outcome

Background: Varicella during pregnancy can affect both the mother and their baby and cause serious complications. However, reports of herpes zoster in pregnancy are relatively uncommon. Objective: We wanted to investigate the clinical manifestations of herpes zoster during pregnancy and its impact on the perinatal outcome. Methods: From 2006 to 2010, a total of 38 pregnant and 40 non-pregnant women with herpes zoster were included for the investigation of the dermatomal distribution, the characteristics and degree of pain, the treatment modalities and the complications. In a pregnant group, we also checked the gestational age and parity at the time of disease onset, the delivery methods, the fetal birth weight and height, the congenital abnormalities and the occurrence of the congenital varicella syndrome, neonatal varicella or zoster within 1 month after birth. Results: There was no significant difference in the anatomical distribution of herpes zoster in both groups. The mean severity of initial pain was significantly increased during pregnancy (p=0.039). Only 11 pregnant women (28.9%) took antiviral agents or systemic analgesics, whereas 26 in the control group (65.0%) took these medications. Compared to the 4 in the control group (10.0%), 3 pregnant patients (7.9%) experienced postherpetic neuralgia, but with no other serious complications. Congenital varicella syndrome and neonatal varicella or zoster was not found. Conclusion: Pregnancy does not seem to exert a detrimental impact on herpes zoster and maternal zoster seems to have no harmful effects on neonates.