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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
05:22
Ex vivo Culture of Human Placental Explants for the Study of Viral Transmission Across the Maternal-Fetal Interface
Published on: December 30, 2025
Exposure to fifth disease in pregnancy
Arthur Staroselsky1, Chagit Klieger-Grossmann, Facundo Garcia-Bournissen
1Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ont.
Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
|December 17, 2009
Summary
Pregnant women exposed to parvovirus B19 (fifth disease) require prompt testing for immunity. If susceptible, close monitoring is crucial to detect and manage potential fetal complications like anemia or hydrops fetalis.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
- Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Parvovirus B19, commonly known as fifth disease or
- slapped cheek
- syndrome, can pose risks during pregnancy.
- Maternal infection can lead to vertical transmission and adverse fetal outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline current guidelines for managing pregnant women exposed to parvovirus B19.
- To inform healthcare providers on appropriate diagnostic and monitoring strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of current medical literature and guidelines regarding parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy.
- Case-based approach to illustrate diagnostic and management steps.
Main Results:
- An estimated 33% of maternal parvovirus B19 infections result in vertical transmission.
- Fetal complications, including hemolysis, anemia, nonimmune hydrops fetalis, and fetal loss, occur in 3% of infected women, particularly with infection before 20 weeks' gestation.
Conclusions:
- Initial management involves testing maternal immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG titers against parvovirus B19 to assess immunity.
- Pregnant women with negative IgG but positive IgM titers require close obstetrical monitoring, including serial ultrasounds, to detect fetal anemia and hydrops fetalis.
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