EMQ — Extended Matching Question · Review
Question 755
Obstetric infection → Viral
Classification
Question
EEMQQuestion Header
Select the single most appropriate fetal follow-up.
Question Stem
A woman develops confirmed chickenpox at 11 weeks of gestation and recovers completely. She asks how the fetus should subsequently be assessed.
Answer Bank
A
No additional fetal assessment is required
B
Weekly CTG from 12 weeks
C
Fetal medicine referral for detailed ultrasound at 16–20 weeks or 5 weeks after infection
D
Immediate amniocentesis while maternal vesicles remain active
E
Routine fetal MRI at 12 weeks
F
Immediate delivery once viability is reached
G
Maternal VZV IgG every week
H
Chorionic villus sampling for VZV culture
Correct Answer
C. Fetal medicine referral for detailed ultrasound at 16–20 weeks or 5 weeks after infection
Explanation
Women who develop chickenpox during pregnancy should be referred to fetal medicine for discussion and detailed ultrasound at 16–20 weeks or 5 weeks after infection.
Option Validity
A) Maternal chickenpox warrants specific fetal medicine assessment.
B) CTG is not the recommended investigation for fetal varicella syndrome at this gestation.
D) Amniocentesis should not be undertaken before maternal skin lesions have completely healed.
E) Fetal MRI is not recommended routinely as the first-line follow-up investigation.
F) Maternal infection does not mandate delivery at viability.
G) Serial maternal IgG does not replace fetal structural assessment.
H) Chorionic villus sampling is not the recommended investigation.
Further Reading
RCOG Green-top Guideline No. 13. Chickenpox in Pregnancy.