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Chickenpox Ignored: Mother's Warning Leads to Daughter's Lifelong Disabilities
5 Mar
Summary
- Doctors repeatedly dismissed a pregnant mother's chickenpox concerns.
- Her daughter was born with congenital varicella syndrome due to delayed diagnosis.
- The family is suing for negligence and advocating for policy change.
A preventable failure in the NHS system has resulted in a child born with lifelong disabilities. Anna Martin, 31, was repeatedly assured by medical professionals that her symptoms during pregnancy were "just a virus" when she suspected chickenpox exposure.
Despite multiple visits to her GP and A&E between November 2022 and shortly after, Anna was not tested for chickenpox. This delay led to her daughter, Genevieve, being born with congenital varicella syndrome (CVS), a severe condition causing birth defects.
Genevieve was born with underdeveloped limbs, and her right foot was amputated at 14 months old. She now faces risks of learning difficulties and further deformities. Anna has launched legal action against Chesterfield Royal Hospital and her GP surgery.
Anna advocates for a change in NHS policy, urging for automatic testing of pregnant women for chickenpox antibodies when exposure is suspected. She emphasizes that current guidance, which often relies on certainty of never having had the virus, leaves many mothers and babies at risk.
