Antibody to varicella zoster virus in low-birth-weight newborn infants

Raker, Richard K.; Steinberg, Sharon; Drusin, Lewis M.; Gershon, Anne A.

doi:10.1016/s0022-3476(78)81180-9

Cited by 14 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The number of newborn babies who are at risk for VZV infection in the nursery is believed to be related to the overall seropositivity of parturient mothers, 6 the intensity of the exposure to the virus, 7 -8 and the level of antibody placentally transferred by the mother to her infant. 1 > 3 - 9 Since the neonate is dependent on passive transfer of anti-body for the acquisition of immunity to VZV during gestation, birthweight and gestational age are believed to play a role in determining the timing and amount of antibody received. 23 -58 For premature infants, the question arises as to when neonates are "too young" or "too small" to have received adequate transplacental immunoprotection.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transplacental Immunity to Varicella-Zoster Virus in Extremely Low Birthweight Infants

Mendez

Sinclair²,

Garcia³

et al. 1992

Amer J Perinatol

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Sixteen infants in our intensive care nursery (ICN) were inadvertently exposed to an adult who presented the next day with chickenpox. Since a majority of the patients were extremely premature, we were concerned that they might not have received transplacental varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibody, and consequently would be at risk for contracting chickenpox. Serum samples were obtained from each infant and examined for the presence or absence of VZV antibody. Fourteen of the 16 infants had antibody levels equal to or in excess of 1:16 by indirect fluorescent antibody, including six of eight infants with birthweights equal to or less than 1000 gm, and eight of ten infants with gestational ages equal to or less than 28 weeks. Passive transfer of immunity to VZV appears to be common in infants as young as 24 to 28 weeks' gestation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transplacental Immunity to Varicella-Zoster Virus in Extremely Low Birthweight Infants

Mendez

Sinclair²,

Garcia³

et al. 1992

Amer J Perinatol

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show abstract

“…Using the sensitive FAMA assay to measure antibodies to VZV, in a study of 67 infants during the 1st year of life, 50% still had detectable VZV antibodies by age 5 months [83]. Even in premature infants and infants with low birth weight, antibodies to VZV are likely to be detectable [92][93][94]. Nevertheless, perinatal chickenpox has been reported rarely in infants born to women with positive histories of chickenpox [95][96][97][98][99].…”

Section: Nosocomial Chickenpox In the Nurserymentioning

confidence: 99%