Fetal parvovirus B19 infection in a twin pregnancy with 1 twin presenting with hydrops fetalis and the other asymptomatic: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy is a known cause of nonimmune hydrops, while about one third of maternal infection is asymptomatic. Spontaneous abortion, hydrops fetalis, intrauterine growth retardation and meconium peritonitis are possible manifestations of fetal infection, but the infection can also be asymptomatic.

CASE: Both fetuses in a dichorionic, diamniotic twin pregnancy were infected with parvovirus B19 infection, but only 1 fetus presented with hydrops fetalis. That fetus died, while the other remained asymptomatic throughout the pregnancy. The mother had a normal delivery at 39 weeks of gestation, and the neonatal outcome of the surviving twin was normal apart from early-onset neonatal jaundice due to ABO incompatibility.

CONCLUSION

This case, together with others, illustrates that parvovirus B19 infection in twin fetuses can present differently despite the fact that the fetuses are nurtured in rather similar intrauterine environments. A severe complication in 1 twin does not preclude a normal outcome in the other. The possibility of different manifestations should be borne in mind so that parvovirus B19 infection remains high on the list of differential diagnoses of nonimmune hydrops affecting only 1 fetus in a twin pregnancy.