When should a newborn receive varicella IgG if the mother is infected?

The appropriate timing for a newborn to receive varicella IgG is important to ensure protective immunity if the mother has an active infection, particularly if she is diagnosed with varicella around the time of delivery. The rationale for administering varicella IgG on postpartum day 2 lies in the window of time needed to assess the newborn and the risks associated with maternal infection.

Varicella IgG is indicated to provide passive immunity to the newborn, protecting them from potential varicella infection, especially if maternal infection occurs shortly before or during labor. Administering it on postpartum day 2 allows for the mother's clinical status to be monitored post-delivery, during which time any potential complications associated with her varicella infection can be addressed.

This timing helps ensure that the newborn is receiving the immunoglobulin while also minimizing the risk of exposure to any infectious pathogens and ensuring that both mother and newborn's health are sufficiently evaluated within that initial postpartum period.

In terms of timing options presented, administering the IgG immediately after birth does not take into account the mother's recovery and monitoring status, while postpartum day 1 may be too early to determine if the newborn would benefit fully from the immunoglobulin. Postpartum week 1 is outside the