Causes a viral illness which typically affects children; infections with parvovirus B19 in pregnancy can lead to several complications

Clinical features (mother)

• Parvovirus infection starts with non-specific viral symptoms
• After 2-5 days, the rash appears quite rapidly as a diffuse bright red rash on both cheeks, as though they have ‘slapped cheeks’
• A few days later a reticular mildly erythematous rash affecting the trunk and limbs appears, which can be raised and itchy

Investigations

Women suspected of parvovirus infection need tests for:

• IgM to parvovirus, which tests for acute infection within the past four weeks
• IgG to parvovirus, which tests for long term immunity to the virus after a previous infection
• Rubella antibodies (as a differential diagnosis)

Management

• Treatment is supportive
• Women with parvovirus B19 infection need a referral to foetal medicine to monitor for complications and malformations

Complications

• Infections with parvovirus B19 in pregnancy can lead to several complications, particularly in the first and second trimesters:
  • Miscarriage or foetal death
  • Severe fetal anaemia
  • Hydrops fetalis (ofetal heart failure)
  • Maternal pre-eclampsia-like syndrome