Erythema infectiosum (Fifth disease) and pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
One of my patients is currently 14 weeks pregnant. She is a teacher in grade 1, and there is an epidemic of Fifth disease in the school where she teaches. Can this disease affect her pregnancy and how should I care for her?


CONCLUSIONS
Erythema infectiosum (Fifth disease) is usually a benign disease for children and mothers, but might have serious consequences for a fetus due to hemolytic anemia, although the risk is very low. You should evaluate the mother's immune status. If she is already immune (IgG positive), the risks are nil. If she is not immune (although the risk of the fetus's being affected is very low), fetal surveillance by repeated ultrasonographic examination and immune status reevaluation has been recommended. If a fetus is found to be affected, intrauterine evaluation and treatment are available at tertiary care centres.
Mankuta
D
D
Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.
Bar-Oz
B
B
Koren
G
G
D000328:Adult; D016731:Erythema Infectiosum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D016732:Parvovirus B19, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal
D007074:Immunoglobulin G