[Varicella infection at birth].

At birth maternal infection with the Varizella-Zoster-Virus (VZV) is very rare but poses a truly life-threatening risk to the newborn. The neonatal mortality rate is up to 20-30%, if the maternal VZV-infection occurs between day 4 ante partum and day 2 post partum. The mortality can be decreased, if labour is successfully delayed by tocolytic agents until VZV-antibodies produced by maternal immune response have passed the placental barrier. There are indications that the mortality may also be lowered by passive immunisation of the newborn, but further research is needed. We recommend strongly to check VZV-IgG-antibodies-titres promptly, if VZV-infection is suspected. Labour then should be delayed by tocolytic agents as described in 2 case reports to allow maternal IgG-antibodies to cross the placental barrier to the foetus.