Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-17-2002
Abstract
To determine the factors associated with an increased risk of developing varicella-zoster virus (VZV) pneumonia during pregnancy, a case-control analysis was done in which 18 pregnant women with VZV pneumonia were compared with 72 matched control subjects. VZV infection was identified clinically, and VZV pneumonia was diagnosed by dyspnea and findings on chest radiographs. Of 347 pregnant women with VZV infection, 18 (5.2%) had pneumonia treated with acyclovir, and none died. Mean gestational age at rash onset was 25.8 ± 8.8 weeks for patients with pneumonia and 17.7 ± 10.3 weeks for control subjects, which was not significant in the multivariable model. Women with VZV pneumonia were significantly more likely to be current smokers (odds ratio [OR], 5.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6–16.7) and to have >100 skin lesions (OR, 15.9; 95% CI, 1.9–130.2). Pregnant women with VZV infection may be more likely to develop varicella pneumonia if they are smokers or manifest >100 skin lesions.
Recommended Citation
Harger, James H.; Ernest, Joseph M.; Thurnau, Gary R.; Moawad, Atef; Momirova, Valerija; Landon, Mark B.; Paul, Richard; Miodovnik, Menachem; Dombrowski, Mitchell; Sibai, Baha; Dorsten, Peter Van; and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Network of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units, "Risk Factors and Outcome of Varicella-Zoster Virus Pneumonia in Pregnant Women" (2002). MUSC Faculty Journal Articles. 22.
https://medica-musc.researchcommons.org/facarticles/22
Comments
Article written by researchers from the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine;Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Wake Forest University;Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine;Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, University of Chicago;Biostatistical Coordinating Center, George Washington University;Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Ohio State University;Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati;Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California School of Medicine;Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University;and Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina. Published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, January 17, 2002, volume 185, pages 422-427. Includes abstract, references, and tables.