Criteria for admission of a pregnant woman with chickenpox to a hospital

Criteria for admission of a pregnant woman with chickenpox to a hospital

Absolute indicators

• chest symptoms
• neurological symptoms other than headache
• haemorrhagic rash or bleeding
• severe disease - dense rash/numerous mucosal lesions
• significant immunosuppression

Contributory factors

• pregnancy approaching term;
• bad obstetric history;
• smoker;
• chronic lung disease;
• poor social circumstances;
• GP unable to monitor patient closely

Reference:

• 1. Morgan-Capner P et al. Guidelines on the management of, and exposure to, rash illness in pregnancy (including consideration of relevant antibody screening programmes in pregnancy). Commun Dis Public Health 2002;5(1): 59-71