Serum alpha-1-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin in pregnant women with acute parvovirus-B19-infection with and without fetal complications

Objective: Neither alpha-1 fetoprotein (AFP) nor human chorionic gonadotrop in (hCG) levels in maternal serum have been found to be prognostic markers for fetal complications in pregnant women with parvovirus B19 infection. Ho wever, both markers are frequently elevated if fetal complications develop. Methods: We measured AFP and hCG levels in 112 serum samples of 59 pregnant women with parvovirus B19 infection. 30 pregnancies had fetal complication s and 29 did not. Results: 10 of the 30 pregnancies with fetal complications had elevated lev els of both AFP and hCG, 6 had high hCG and normal AFP levels, and 1 had hi gh AFP and normal hCG levels. Of the 29 pregnancies without fetal complicat ions, 1 had elevated levels of both AFP and hCG and 6 had high hCG and norm al AFP levels. Conclusion: These data confirm that the development of fetal hydrops or fet al demise due to parvovirus B19 infection are commonly associated with elev ated maternal hCG levels and less often with elevated AFP levels. However, neither marker is a reliable predictor of fetal complications in this setti ng. Ultrasonography remains the technique of choice to monitor these pregna ncies.