Parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy

Parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy can cause hydrops fetalis resulting in fetal loss. Acute B19 infection was serologically confirmed in 80 pregnant women by ELISA. Of 80 pregnancies, 4 were terminated. Of the remaining 76 pregnancies, no fetal complications were observed in 36 (47.4%), hydrops fetalis occurred in 18 (23.7%) and no further information was available in 22 (28.9%). 15 of 18 (83.3%) fetuses with hydrops died. Intrauterine transfusion was performed in the remaining three fetuses and pregnancy continued without further complications. B19 infected fetal erythroblasts can be detected by standard histological staining methods and in situ hybridisation using a digoxigenin-labelled B19 DNA probe. Non-immune pregnant females working in kindergartens or schools should be suspended during an epidemic outbreak of B19 in such institutions.