[Maternal viral infections as a fetal risk factor]

After a review of the literature reports from recent years viral infections in pregnant women are presented as a fetal and neonatal risk factor. Maternal infections with rubella virus, cytomegalovirus++, hepatitis, Coxsackie B, varicella, herpes, poliomyelitis, parvovirus B19 and HIV are discussed stressing their unfavourable effect on the developing embryo, fetus or newborn.