An observational study of complications in chickenpox with special reference to unusual complications in an apex infectious disease hospital, Kolkata, India.

BACKGROUND

Chickenpox can cause serious complications and even death in persons without any risk factors.

AIMS: To observe the different complications with special reference to unusual complications of chickenpox and their outcomes.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The present study was a prospective observational study where 300 patients suffering from chickenpox were evaluated with special reference to unusual complications and outcomes.

RESULTS

The usual complications of chickenpox commonly observed were acute hepatitis in 30 (10%) and cerebellar ataxia in 22 patients (7.3%), whereas common unusual complications were acute pancreatitis in 45 (15%), hemorrhagic rash in 10 (3.3%), Guillain-Barrι syndrome in 4 (1.3%), disseminated intravascular coagulation in 4 (1.3%), necrotizing fasciitis in 4 (1.3%), and acute renal failure in 3 patients (1%). It had been observed that most of these unusual complications occurred in patients without any risk factor. A total of 18 patients (6%) died in this study and of them 12 patients (4%) died due to unusual complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Compulsory childhood varicella vaccination including vaccination of risk groups and susceptible individuals are all essential to reduce the incidence of chickenpox, associated complications, and subsequent death.