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Human parvovirus B19 infection and pregnancy
Author(s) -
Ismail Khaled MK,
Kilby Mark D
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
the obstetrician and gynaecologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1744-4667
pISSN - 1467-2561
DOI - 10.1576/toag.5.1.4
Subject(s) - transplacental , parvovirus , pregnancy , medicine , transmission (telecommunications) , obstetrics , immunology , fetus , pediatrics , virology , biology , virus , placenta , genetics , electrical engineering , engineering
It is estimated that human parvovirus B19 infection affects 1600‐2200 pregnant mothers each year in England and Wales. Vertical (transplacental) transmission occurs in approximately one‐third of these maternal infections. In contrast to the relatively mild clinical effects of human parvovirus B19 in the mother, fetal infection via haematogenous transplacental spread can be severe and sometimes fatal. The infection causes a wide range of clinical syndromes. These varying clinical presentations are described, with the aim of increasing the diagnostic awareness of readers of possible exposures to human parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy and providing an up‐to‐date management protocol.