What Are the Consequences of Parvovirus in Pregnancy?
A pregnant mother can transmit parvovirus to her baby. This can lead to life-threatening condition, fetal anemia, due to viral infection of fetal bone marrow. This is also known as fetal hydrops, where massive edema (build up of fluid and swelling) puts great strain on the baby’s heart and may cause congestive heart failure. The risk of a pregnant woman transmitting parvovirus to her baby is 5 to 15%. The danger of transmission is greatest if the mother is infected during her first trimester and lowest after her 20th week of pregnancy. Although fetal hydrops is a serious complication, it does not usually cause birth defects. In fact, infants who receive appropriate treatment almost always survive, and their long-term development is usually normal.
