Rare complications of chickenpox in children

Abstract

Chickenpox, caused by varicella-zoster virus, is a common infection of childhood, especially in developing countries like India, where immunization coverage is low. Fifty percent of children are infected by 5 years of age and 90% by 12 years of age. Though the disease usually runs a benign, self limited course, yet in severe infections life threatening complications may develop. Deep vein thrombosis and spreading infective necrotizing fascitis are very rare complications of this disease. We report here two cases of surgical emergencies associated with varicella and review the literature.