Cordocentesis for the diagnosis and treatment of human fetal parvovirus infection.

Human parvovirus B-19 infection was diagnosed by DNA hybridization in blood obtained by cordocentesis from two hydropic fetuses at 22 and 26 weeks' gestation; B-19-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) in fetal blood was negative in both cases. Hematologic studies demonstrated severe anemia, which was treated by intravascular fetal blood transfusions. The hydrops resolved and healthy infants were delivered at term. The pathophysiology of hydrops in fetal parvovirus infection is discussed.