Objectives: To evaluate the clinical features of fetuses with prenatally diagnosed parvovirus B19 infection and fetal hydrops.
Methods: Parvovirus infection was diagnosed by PCR analysis of amniotic fluid or fetal blood. Fetal anemia was assessed by Doppler measurements of the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) and confirmed by fetal blood. Intrauterine transfusions (IUT) were performed only if the MCA-PSV was > 1.5°MoM.
Results: In our study population 10 cases of parvovirus infection which were associated with fetal hydrops were reviewed. The median gestational age at diagnosis was 21 (16.3-24.2) weeks. Five of our cases received IUT and four fetuses survived. The remaining five cases were managed conservatively and two fetuses survived.
Conclusions: The survival rate for parvovirus infection associated with fetal hydrops was 60%. MCA-PSV and IUT are useful for the management and treatment of fetal anemia due to parvovirus infection.
Keywords: fetal hydrops; intrauterine transfusion; middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity; parvovirus B19.