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Parvovirus infection
Definition |
Infection with Parvovirus B19 causing a mild virus illness in adults, but severe anaemia in unborn fetuses |
| Incidence | Rare, but infections cluster around childhood outbreaks in winter |
| Diagnosis | Blood test showing IgM antibody response due to recent infection. If detected late can present with hydrops and polyhydramnios |
| Gestation at diagnosis | Signs of fetal anaemia commonly occur 4 weeks after primary infection in late second trimester |
| Known cause, chromosomal or genetic association | Parvovirus B19 |
| Further investigations | Amniocentesis for viral PCR, or serial monitoring with middle cerebral artery dopplers for signs of fetal anaemia |
| Differential Diaganosis | Other viral infections If presenting feature is hydrops immune and non immune causes of hydrops |
| Prognosis | Good if detected and in-utero transfusion perfored before onset of hydrops |
| Recurrance risk | Very low due to maternal immunity |
| Research Studies |
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