Analysis of clinical features of varicella in 33 neonates / 中国新生儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, complications and prognosis of neonatal varicella.Methods:From September 2008 to December 2019, the clinical data of hospitalized neonates with varicella in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 33 cases of neonatal varicella were reviewed, including 18 males and 15 females, 32 full-term infants and 1 premature infant. The gestational age (GA) was (38.8±1.2)w and birth weight (BW) was (3 670±247)g. The onset of the disease occurred at 14.0 (8.0,19.0)d and was diagnosed at 18.0 (11.5,23.0)d. The hospital stay duration was (8.1±3.7)(2~20)d. All mothers denied varicella history or varicella vaccination. Among the 33 infants, 29 had a history of varicella/zoster exposure. All 33 infants had typical rash and 25 had fever, body temperature (38.3±0.6) ℃ and duration (2.4±1.4) d. 13 cases were congenital varicella, 20 cases were acquired varicella. 24 cases abnormality of cardiac enzymes, 11 cases skin infection, 8 cases liver damage, 4 cases pneumonia, 6 cases granulocytopenia/agranulocytosis, 9 cases anemia, 4 cases sepsis and 1 case viral encephalitis were diagnosed. 20 infants received intravenous antiviral therapy (acyclovir), 17 were treated with antibiotics, 15 were given intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), 8 received both antiviral therapy and IVIG and 6 were treated with recombinant human granulocyte stimulating factor. 31 infants were cured and discharged. 2 infants were discharged after improvement of rashes. All infants reported complete recovery on telephone follow-up.Conclusions:Most neonatal varicella cases have a definite exposure history. Besides rashes, complications including pneumonia, liver damage, myocardial injury, granulocytopenia/agranulocytosis, viral encephalitis are common. Intravenous antiviral therapy with acyclovir and combined treatment of IVIG and symptomatic support can often achieve a good prognosis.