[Prognosis of prenatal varicella-zoster-infections in relation to their onset during pregnancy (author's transl)].

7 children were observed, whose mothers had Varicella-Zoster-Virus-infection. 3 of these children developed postnatal Herpes Zoster without Varicella in their history; 1 child had Varicella in the neonatal period. There are indications that primary infection with Varicella-Zoster-Virus during the first four months of pregnancy may cause deformities in the child; the same during the last five days of pregnancy increases the risk of varicella with a complicated course in the newborn. Independent of the time of infection during pregnancy the prognosis of a secondary Varicella-Zoster-Virus-infection in the mother seems always to be good for the child. Aspects of the child's immunological maturation, still incomplete at birth, are discussed and can help to understand the different prognoses during pregnancy. The importance of serological diagnosis has been emphasized.