Epstein-Barr virus infection in pregnancy--a prospective controlled study.
BACKGROUND
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common human viruses. To date, there is limited information regarding the influence of maternal EBV infection on pregnancy outcome.


OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to examine the fetal safety of EBV infection in pregnancy.


METHODS
We prospectively evaluated the rate of major anomalies and pregnancy outcome of women with serologic evidence of primary, recurrent or undefined infection (27, 56, and 43 women, respectively) compared to 1434 women who called the Israeli TIS for non-teratogenic exposure.


RESULTS
Women's characteristics and pregnancy outcome were comparable between the EBV exposed and control groups. Similarly, the gestational age at delivery and birth weight were not significantly different. The rate of major congenital anomalies did not significantly differ between the EBV exposed compared to the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that EBV infection during pregnancy does not represent a major teratogenic risk to the fetus.
Avgil
Meytal
M
The Israeli Teratogen Information Service, Israel Ministry of Health Jerusalem, Israel.
Diav-Citrin
Orna
O
Shechtman
Svetlana
S
Arnon
Judy
J
Wajnberg
Rebecka
R
Ornoy
Asher
A
D000328:Adult; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies