Parvovirus as a differential diagnosis of hydrops fetalis in the first trimester

We report a case of fetal parvovirus B19 infection which appears to have resulted in hydrops in the first trimester. An ultrasound scan performed at the booking visit of a woman in the first trimester showed generalised oedema. Karyotyping to exclude a fetal abnormality was normal. Maternal radioimmunoassay serological investigations showed parvovirus B19 IgG and IgM. Post-mortem analysis revealed intranuclear inclusion bodies typical of parvovirus in the erythroid cells in the liver and in the myocardium.