Clinical presentation and outcome of 20 fetuses with parvovirus B19 infection complicated by severe anemia and/or fetal hydrops

Aim The aim of this study was to assess the prognosis of parvovirus B19 infection with severely anemic and/or hydropic fetuses according to initial ultrasound and biological criteria. Material and methods Retrospective study of 20 cases of congenital parvovirus B19-proven infection (positive PCR) complicated by fetal anemia and/or hydrops was examined. Anemia was suspected on an elevated peak systolic velocity of the middle cerebral artery and was confirmed by fetal blood sampling. Results Survival rate was 70% (14/20) overall and 76% (13/17) for fetuses with one or more transfusions. When fetal effusion regressed after the transfusion, all 11 fetuses survived, and neonatal condition was fa…