MATERNAL SERUM BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS IN PREGNANCIES WITH FETAL PARVOVIRUS-B19 INFECTION

Hydrops fetalis and fetal death caused by fetal parovirus B19 infectio n have been reported to be associated with elevated maternal serum alp ha-fetoprotein (AFP), based on a total of six cases. It has been sugge sted that the absence of AFP elevation may be reassuring. Maternal ser um levels of the Down syndrome screening markers unconjugated oestriol and human chorionic gonadotropin in cases of fetal parvovirus infecti on have not been previously reported. We report four cases of hydrops fetalis and fetal death caused by fetal parvovirus infection, each wit h unremarkable second-trimester levels of AFP, unconjugated oestriol, and human chorionic gonadotropin.