Fetal-maternal hydrops syndrome in human parvovirus infection

A case of maternal generalized edema with hyponatremia, hypoosmolality and secondary hyperaldosteronism was associated with pseudomolar plasma human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) concentrations in a case of fetal and placental hydrops due to parvovirus B19 infection. Digoxigenin in situ hybridization techniques were effective in demonstrating parvovirus B19 infection on fixed tissues. Hydropic changes in the placenta may have massively increased the maternal plasma hCG concentration with subsequent fluid imbalance leading to maternal hydrops mimicking molar pregnancy.