- often asymptomatic
- can cause rash with arthralgia / arthritis (i.e. rubella-like)
- First 20 weeks – 10% excess foetal loss
- 9-20 weeks – 3% hydrops → 40% foetal mortality
- ∼ 60% of Australian women of childbearing age are susceptible
- annual conversion rate varies from 1-2% → 10-15%
- household contact → 50% seroconversion
- occupational contact (e.g. school teacher) → 20-30% seroconversion
- not recommended that susceptible pregnant women stay away from work
- rather, if come into potential contact → check IgG levels and repeat 3 weeks later in IgG negative women and check foetal ultrasound within 6 weeks if evidence of seroconversion
Hydrops
- ∼ 3% of parvovirus infection in mothers between 9-20 weeks gestation
- caused by severe foetal anaemia and presents about 5 weeks after maternal infection
- ∼ 1 in 3 cases resolves spontaneously
- outcome is significantly improved in remaining two-thirds by intrauterine transfusion, otherwise 40% mortality!
