EMQ — Extended Matching Question · Review
Question 764
Obstetric infection → Viral
Classification
Question
EEMQQuestion Header
Select the single most appropriate interpretation of fetal risk.
Question Stem
A woman had chickenpox at 23 weeks of pregnancy. She has recovered and asks whether fetal varicella syndrome is restricted to infections before 20 weeks. What is the most appropriate response?
Answer Bank
A
FVS cannot occur after 20 weeks
B
FVS occurs only when infection is in the first trimester
C
FVS has been reported following maternal infection up to 28 weeks
D
FVS occurs in approximately 25% of infections at 20–28 weeks
E
The incidence after 20–28 weeks is reliably 0.91%
F
Infection after 20 weeks affects only the neonate
G
FVS occurs only if maternal pneumonia develops
H
A normal maternal recovery excludes fetal risk
Correct Answer
C. FVS has been reported following maternal infection up to 28 weeks
Explanation
Fetal varicella syndrome is not confined to maternal infection before 20 weeks. The guideline reports cases following maternal chickenpox as late as 28 weeks. Available data for 20–28 weeks are too limited to provide a reliable incidence estimate.
Option Validity
A) Cases have been reported after 20 weeks.
B) FVS is not confined to first-trimester infection.
D) The guideline does not support a 25% incidence.
E) Approximately 0.91% is the pooled incidence for infection before 20 weeks, not 20–28 weeks.
F) Fetal consequences remain possible before 28 weeks.
G) FVS is not dependent on maternal pneumonia.
H) Maternal clinical recovery does not eliminate the small fetal risk.
Further Reading
RCOG Green-top Guideline No. 13. Chickenpox in Pregnancy. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; January 2015, minor update 2024.