NEOPOX: Surveillance for congenital and neonatal varicella V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Surveillance Study of Congenital and Hospitalised Neonatal Varicella in the United Kingdom & Portugal (NEOPOX)
IRAS ID
277788
Contact name
Kate Jordan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UK Health Security Agency
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 29 days
Research summary
Chickenpox (varicella) is a common childhood infection, which most individuals in the United Kingdom contract by the time they are teenagers. Although often mild, severe chickenpox is more likely in young babies, pregnant women and those with poorly functioning immune-systems.
Chickenpox can be particularly devastating if contracted during pregnancy, as the infection can be passed to the developing baby, thereby increasing the likelihood of stillbirth, premature birth, and affecting fetal development. Chickenpox acquired in this way is known as fetal varicella syndrome (FVS). FVS can cause problems with the way an affected infant learns and develops. Many children with FVS have lifelong health consequences, including limb problems, learning disabilities and visual impairment.
Babies who contract chickenpox in the first month of life, known as neonatal varicella, are also vulnerable to severe consequences. These can include breathing difficulties and brain infection, as their immune systems are still developing.
A safe and effective chickenpox vaccine has been developed, but has not been implemented as part of routine UK immunisation programmes. Currently data about infection rates of fetal and neonatal varicella is not collected,
meaning information is lacking regarding the burden and treatment of chickenpox in these extremely vulnerable groups, which is crucial for directing future public health policy.The proposed study will through the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit (BPSU) aims to collect data on the number of cases, severity, and treatment of FVS and babies hospitalised with neonatal varicella infections. This information will be collected over a 13-month surveillance period by asking paediatricians from across the UK to provide information about any cases they treat. This crucial information will help inform public health interventions, guide decisions about the benefits and cost effectiveness of introducing the vaccine to the routine immunisation schedule, and describe short term outcomes and treatments for these conditions in the UK.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SW/0040
Date of REC Opinion
30 Mar 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion