RESOLUTION OF HUMAN PARVOVIRUS B19-INDUCED NONIMMUNE HYDROPS AFTER INTRAUTERINE TRANSFUSION

Our objective is to report our experience with cases of prolonged reco very from nonimmune hydrops secondary to human parvovirus B19 infectio n occurring after intrauterine transfusion. We reviewed cases referred to our unit over a 10 year period for exposure to parvovirus B19 infe ction. Those cases with serologic evidence of recent infection were id entified. The cases requiring intrauterine transfusion were reviewed f or demographic details, time of exposure, parvovirus B19 sere gestatio nal age at detection of nonimmune hydrops, number and results of fetal blood samples, duration from intrauterine transfusion to resolution o f hydrops, and neonatal outcome. Of 38 cases identified through serolo gic evidence of recent parvovirus B19 infection, 35 (92.1%) did not de velop hydrops, and these were followed by serial ultra-sonography for 8 weeks from the time of exposure. Three cases (7.9%) developed hydrop s and required intrauterine transfusion; in two the transfusion was in travascular and in one it was intraperitoneal. The mean duration from intrauterine transfusion to resolution of hydrops was 8 weeks 2 days. Pregnancy outcome in all cases was normal. In cases of nonimmune hydro ps secondary to parvovirus B19 infection, resolution of the hydrops af ter intrauterine transfusion may take up to 12 weeks with a normal pre gnancy outcome.