Bone lesions in an infant with congenital parvovirus b19 infection

Joseph B Cantey1, Marcia A Pritchard, Pablo J Sánchez

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.

Pediatrics
|April 24, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Congenital parvovirus B19 infection can cause bone lesions in newborns, even leading to hydrops fetalis. These skeletal findings in infants often resolve naturally within weeks.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Skeletal Radiology

Background:

  • Bone lesions on radiographs in newborns are often indicative of congenital infections.
  • While skeletal surveys are standard for suspected congenital syphilis, bone abnormalities are seen in other congenital infections.

Observation:

  • A case report details an infant with hydrops fetalis due to congenital parvovirus B19 infection.
  • The infant presented with bone lesions in multiple long and axial bones upon NICU admission.

Findings:

  • Extensive evaluation ruled out other congenital infectious agents in both the infant and mother.
  • The observed bone lesions showed significant resolution by 10 weeks of age.

Implications:

  • Screening neonates with congenital parvovirus B19 infection for bone lesions is suggested.
  • This screening may enhance understanding of the incidence and pathophysiology of these skeletal manifestations.

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