Parvovirus infection in fetal life. Case report and recent literature updates

Background. The parvovirus B19 (B19V) belongs to the Parvoviridae family, genus Erythrovirus, and is a virus that causes a common childhood disease called erythema infectiosum, also largely known as the fifth childhood disease. The clinical appearance is marked by the “slapped cheek” facies and an erythematous rash localized mainly on the extremities and on the trunk. Most people gain immunity during childhood, and when it occurs in pregnancy in non-immunized women, there are some serious complications for the fetus that can occur. B19V infection in pregnancy can conduct to fetal loss or severe hydrops fetalis, due to the risk of vertical transmission to the fetus and the virus tropism for the erythropoietic fetal stem cells with subsequent cell destruction and fetal anemia. Invasive treatment, as intrauterine fetal transfusion, is necessary for the cases of severe fetal anemia with good survival rates afterwards. The purpose of this review is to update the current knowledge regarding the best management of severe fetal anemia and other complications related to B19V infection in pregnancy, based on the latest data from literature and guidelines. Methods. Electronic research for relevant articles published in the last years was made, with the usage of PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Data Base, and the current international guidelines promoted by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Societies. Results and conclusions. The importance of prenatal detection of non-immunized women by serologic testing for parvovirus B19 should not be overlooked, and subsequent follow-up should be recommended in order to lower the incidence of fetal complications associated with developing the disease in pregnancy, especially during epidemics. In case of P19V infection in pregnancy, serial ultrasounds and lab tests should be performed in order to determine the impact on the fetus and the apparition of fetal hydrops. The future moms who are not immunized to B19V should be advised about the risk of vertical transmission and the associated fetal sequelae that can occur. Assessment for maternal disease and for fetal impairment has to become a priority when there are signs of primary infection in pregnancy.