Congenital Varicella Syndrome and Crossed Nonfused Renal Ectopia in a Neonate: A Case Report

Congenital varicella syndrome (CVS) is a rare consequence of maternal varicella infection during early pregnancy and is characterized by cicatricial skin lesions, neurological impairment, limb hypoplasia, and ocular abnormalities. Renal anomalies are not classical features but may occur. We report a term male neonate, born to a primigravida mother with a history of varicella infection at 12 weeks of gestation. The neonate presented with perinatal asphyxia, seizures, cicatricial skin lesions, and a rare renal anomaly - crossed nonfused renal ectopia (CNRE). The neonate required resuscitation at birth, developed hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and was managed with therapeutic hypothermia and antiepileptics. Radiological imaging revealed CNRE. Both maternal and neonatal varicella IgG serology were positive. The baby improved with supportive management and was discharged in stable condition. To the best of our knowledge, CVS and CNRE are not correlated and represent coincidental, unrelated findings in our case.