Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in pregnancies complicated by acute Parvovirus B19 infection in the second trimester: a case series.

OBJECTIVES

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in pregnancy has been used to treat hematologic conditions, but there is limited literature on its use in acute Parvovirus B19 infection. The purpose of this report is to highlight IVIG treatment recommendations based on low reticulocyte counts and high middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) values to prevent fetal hydrops, as well as identify which patients would benefit from high-dose IVIG administration in the setting of acute Parvovirus B19 infection in the second trimester.

CASE PRESENTATION: We present the treatment of acute Parvovirus B19 infection with IVIG in two affected pregnancies, as an alternative to percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS) and intrauterine transfusion (IUT).

CONCLUSIONS

IVIG may be useful for Parvovirus B19 treatment in patients with erythropoietic suppression, in patients who decline PUBS/IUT with elevated MCA-PSV, and in patients who have difficult access to the placental cord insertion site, unsuccessful attempt at PUBS, or relative contraindications (i.e. significant abdominal surgery, high BMI).