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Abstract
Congenital parvovirus B19 infection is a rare but serious condition that can result in hydrops fetalis and fetal death. Due to the virus’ cytotoxic effect on fetal red blood cell precursors, postnatal infection can cause a neonatal viremia and secondary pure red cell aplasia. Here, we describe a case of congenital parvovirus infection in a preterm infant complicated by hydrops fetalis and chronic anaemia that responded to postnatal treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin administered on day of life 44. After treatment, the anaemia resolved as the neonate exhibited interval increases in haemoglobin, haematocrit and reticulocyte count with no subsequent need for red blood cell transfusions.
- haematology (incl blood transfusion)
- neonatal intensive care
- materno-fetal medicine
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Footnotes
Contributors OJ was a fellow physician who participated in the patient’s care during his NICU stay. She helped make medical decisions regarding his treatment and overall management. After his discharge, the case was reviewed and the case report was written. Consent was obtained from mother. JL was a attending physician who participated in the patient’s care. He oversaw medical decisions and overall management. He helped review and edit the case report write up.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent for publication Obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.