Parvovirus Information for patients - Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
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Parvovirus Information for patients Leeds Maternity Care
This leaflet is aimed at pregnant women with a confirmed parvovirus infection. The leaflet should only be supplied in supplement to a consultation with an experienced obstetrician. What is parvovirus? Parvovirus B19 is a common infection that usually affects children and causes a mild illness and a facial rash. It is often called slapped cheek disease. The risk of infection is greater in people who have frequent contact with children such as teachers, and women with school age children. Once you have had the infection you are immune and will not get it again. 60% of adults have had the infection and are immune. For women who develop the infection for the first time in pregnancy, the symptoms can be very mild and may hardly be aware that they have been infected. Up to 5% of women will develop parvovirus infection during pregnancy; most of these women will deliver a healthy baby. How is it diagnosed? Parvovirus is not something that is routinely tested for during pregnancy. If you suspect that you have come into close contact with a person with the infection then speak to your midwife. Your midwife can organise for the routine blood sample taken early in your pregnancy to be tested to check your immunity (previous exposure) to the virus. 2
If there is no evidence of immunity then she will take a blood
test 2-4 weeks after your exposure that will check if you have
recently been infected.
The other reason that you may be offered a test is if your baby
appears to show signs of a possible parvovirus infection during
an ultrasound scan.
What does it mean for your baby?
If a woman develops a parvovirus infection during pregnancy
there is a risk (about 30%) of the baby also developing
the infection. Parvovirus infection can be dangerous for
developing babies, as the virus can cross the placenta and
affect the way the baby’s red blood cells develop. As a result,
some babies will develop anaemia (low blood count). In the
most serious cases, this can be extremely serious, can affect
how the baby’s heart functions and may cause miscarriage or
stillbirth if it is not treated. The risk of serious complications
is small but is probably higher if the infection occurs earlier in
your pregnancy (before 20 weeks gestation).
The risk of the baby developing other problems related to the
infection is small.
What are the signs of anaemia in the baby during
the pregnancy?
In some babies who develop anaemia, the mother may feel
less movements than normal, however ultrasound scans are
usually a more reliable way of assessing for anaemia in the
baby.
3During your scans, your doctor will measure the speed of
blood flow in a blood vessel in the baby’s head called the
middle cerebral artery (MCA). If this is unusually fast, it may be
because the baby is anaemic.
Other signs of more significant anaemia are when the baby
develops fluid in its chest or abdominal cavity. In this situation,
the baby would require treatment or delivery in order to
survive.
How is it treated?
Most women and babies will require monitoring with regular
ultrasound scans only. These will occur every 1-2 weeks and
will be performed by a specialist doctor in your local hospital
or at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Fetal Medicine Unit. You
will require these regular scans for up to 10 weeks after a
confirmed infection.
Blood
Ultrasound transfusion
transducer through the
umbilical vein
in the placenta
Placenta
Fetus Umbilical cord
Uterus Pubic bone
Vagina
Spine Cervix
4Only a small number of babies require treatment for anaemia
during the pregnancy. This involves giving the baby a small
blood transfusion while still in the womb. This is a very
specialist procedure that will be performed in the Fetal
Medicine Department. If a blood transfusion is required, often
no other treatment is needed after that.
What happens next?
If you have had a blood test that confirms you have had a
recent parvovirus infection then your local hospital will discuss
your case with and refer you to the Fetal Medicine Unit at
Leeds Teaching Hospitals. You will be offered specialist scans
to assess the baby for signs of anaemia
Where can I get more information and support?
Be sure to ask questions to the doctor supplying you with
this leaflet and make a note of any questions you would
like to ask at your Fetal Medicine Unit appointment. Your
local hospital will also have a specialist midwife who you will
be able to contact for further discussion. Another helpful
charitable resource is Antenatal Results and Choices
Antenatal Results and Choices
• www.arc-uk.org
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Your views matter
© The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust • 2nd edition (Ver 1) LN002578
Developed by: The Fetal Medicine Team Publication date
07/2021
Produced by: Medical Illustration Services
Review date
MID code: 20200429_024/MH
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