North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT associated with congenital varicella syndrome?

1. Dermatome lesions

2. Chorioretinitis

3. Severe hypertension

4. Cataracts

The correct answer is: Severe hypertension

Congenital varicella syndrome (CVS) is a condition that occurs when a fetus is infected with the varicella-zoster virus during the first trimester of pregnancy. The classic complications associated with CVS include a specific set of physical anomalies that arise due to the virus's effects on fetal development. Dermatome lesions are commonly seen in CVS, which manifest as scarring skin lesions that typically follow the patterns of the dermatomes, the areas of skin supplied by specific spinal nerves. This is a hallmark symptom of the syndrome. Chorioretinitis is another condition associated with congenital varicella syndrome. It refers to inflammation of the choroid and retina of the eye, which can lead to vision problems and is a known complication that can occur as a result of in utero infection. Cataracts are also associated with congenital varicella syndrome. These develop when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, potentially resulting in vision impairment. In contrast, severe hypertension is not a typical feature of congenital varicella syndrome. While hypertension can occur in a range of medical conditions, it is not directly linked to the teratogenic effects of varicella virus exposure during pregnancy. Thus, identifying severe hypertension as not being associated with congenital