ABSTRACT
Pneumonia is a rare but serious complication of varicella during pregnancy. Maternal
mortality has been reported to be 41% with fetal and neonatal mortality at 65%. Treatment
has included respiratory support and prophylactic antibiotics. Acyclovir has been
prescribed with the intent to decrease the impact of the infection. It was added to
the treatment protocol of two cases of varicella pneumonia in pregnancy. Despite the
high maternal and perinatal mortality both pairs of patients and infants survived.
Acyclovir did not appear to adversely influence the fetus, and may have contributed
to the survival of mother and child.
