Transient erythroblastopenia of the newborn caused by human parvovirus.

Purpose: We describe a newborn baby boy with anemia in whom human parvovirus (HPV) antibodies were detected in his serum.

Patients and methods: Severe reticulocytopenia and anemia lasted until day 11 after his birth. Thereafter reticulocytosis was observed. Work-ups for immune hemolytic anemia, fetomaternal hemorrhage, placental hemorrhage, intrauterine infections were negative by clinical and laboratory analysis. HPV-specific IgM and IgG were positive on both the baby's and the maternal serum.

Results: Despite severe anemia, the baby remained clinically stable. His hemoglobin levels steadily increased along with ongoing reticulocytosis. He is now 14 months old with normal hemoglobin.

Conclusions: Detection of HPV antibodies indicated its causal relation to the development of congenital pure red cell aplasia. The possibility of HPV infection should be considered in the assessment of anemia of the newborn.