Incidence of parvovirus B19 infection among an unselected population of pregnant women in the Netherlands: A prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate seroprevalence of anti-parvovirus B19 IgG immunoglobulins and the rate of seroconversion in seronegative pregnant women.


METHODS
Prospective assessment of anti-parvovirus B19 IgG immunoglobulins in an unselected population of pregnant women booked for antenatal care from 1998 to 2000.


METHODS
Maternity departments of an academic hospital and four affiliated teaching hospitals in the Netherlands.


METHODS
Two thousand five hundred and sixty seven pregnant women.


METHODS
Seroprevalence of anti-parvovirus B19 IgG immunoglobulin in the first trimester of pregnancy and subsequent seroconversion in those women who were tested negative for parvovirus B19 antibodies in the first trimester of pregnancy.


RESULTS
The estimated seroprevalence of anti-parvovirus B19 IgG immunoglobulins among the study population is 70% (95% CI: 68-71) in the first trimester of pregnancy. Seven hundred and seventy nine women tested negative for parvovirus B19 antibodies in the first trimester of pregnancy. Paired testing in these women confirmed 18 seroconversions. Based on these findings the estimated incidence of maternal parvovirus B19 infection in this population among seronegative Dutch women is 2.4% (95% CI: 1.4-3.7).


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal infection with parvovirus B19 is relatively common. However, it is argued that in the Netherlands routine assessment of parvovirus antibodies in pregnant women is not warranted as there is a low risk of adverse fetal outcome and measures to prevent the parvovirus B19 infection and its consequences are very limited.
van Gessel
Peter H
PH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Gaytant
Michael A
MA
Vossen
Ann C T M
AC
Galama
Joep M D
JM
Ursem
Nicolette T C
NT
Steegers
Eric A P
EA
Wildschut
Hajo I J
HI
D000293:Adolescent; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008403:Mass Screening; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016732:Parvovirus B19, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000276:immunology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012698:Serologic Tests
D007074:Immunoglobulin G