Parvovirus (slapped cheek virus) infection in fetus

[lisaniki]

Hi everyone,
I was exposed to parvovirus in the first trimester or my pregnancy. I wasn't too worried because I was told that it was unlikely that the baby could catch it across the placenta. But I have just found out the results of my amnio that the baby is also infected. I am now 19 weeks pregnant, and so far the baby looks normal on ultrasound.

I just wondered if anyone out there had any experience of this happening.

thanks,

Lisaniki

Hi

I dont know too much about it but was reading up on nhs direct as am worried my son will get it in nursery (i like to worry!)

As far as I can remember if you get it in the first 20 weeks or something it increases your risk of early miscarriage - now by that it says it increases the risk by 15% so a tiny tiny risk - presumably if there is around a 20% chance of miscarriage this gives you like a 22% chance or something. However you are through that first stage so that doesnt apply to you.

The other thing it said was the the baby has a 0.1% chance (approx) of something happening with its brain - but its something they would have picked up on the scan and be able to see by this point.

From all of that it sounds like baby is absolutely fine? Risks are very low anyway. What have they said to you? Have they been any use or a bit like my consultant used to be and just say "you have this" and not explain it at all.....

Firstly you are not alone, there are a few of us who've gone through it and whilst it can be scary - you are not alone. Sadly you were given very bad advice, I hope it wasn't from a healthcare professional? You should have been offered a blood test straight away to determine your immunity status, most especially seeing as you were in your first trimester, which is the most riskiest period.

I was also exposed to parvo in my second trimester and immediately had a blood test which showed that I wasn't immune and that therefore the baby was therefore still at risk. I had a series of follow up scans, the last of which was this week, and thankfully everything is fine.

It sounds as though whilst your baby has been infected by the virus, he/she has not been affected by the side effects that can occur. The main risk in the first trimester is of miscarriage, which obviously isn't as much of an issue for you now having had a good scan and amnio. However the remaining risks to the baby are of fluid collection in the body cavities and potentially severe anaemia. However, this almost always shows up within eight weeks of infection so at 19 weeks you can probably relax a little bit. But really you need to go back to your consultant and get him to sit down with you and explain all the possible issues and courses clearly and slowly. There's not a great deal they can do to treat it in utero, but if the anaemia is severe they can do an in utero tranfusion which has a high degree of success. But as I say it sounds as though this might not actually be an issue for you.

There's some fantastic information here on the HPA website, just follow the links through as you have time. www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_AZ/parvovirus/gen_info.htm

Talk to your midwife and consultant if you can, and perhaps take someone else along with you who can make notes and help you digest all the information. Thinking of you both,

sparkle

Hi
I am 11 weeks and just had results of blood tests back that show I have been exposed to slapped cheek / have the virus. Just wondering what was happening with you lisaniki and if everything is ok? xxx