Maternal human parvovirus B19 infection and the risk of fetal death and low birthweight: a case-control study within 35 940 pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between maternal parvovirus B19 infection and fetal death, birthweight and length of gestation.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Population based.


METHODS
Cases were all 281 women with fetal death within a cohort of 35 940 pregnant woxmen in Norway. The control group consisted of a random sample of 957 women with a live born child.


METHODS
Information on pregnancy outcome was obtained from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. First trimester serum samples were tested for antibodies against parvovirus B19 (IgM and IgG). In seronegative women, further serum was analysed to detect seroconversion during pregnancy.


METHODS
Fetal death, length of gestation and birthweight.


RESULTS
Two of 281 (0.7%) of the women who experienced fetal death and nine of 957 (0.9%) of the controls had presence of IgM antibodies, crude odds ratio 0.8; 95% CI (0.2-3.5). In initially, seronegative women, 3.1% (2/65) with fetal death and 2.6% (8/307) with a live birth seroconverted, crude odds ratio 1.2; 95% CI (0.2-5.7). Presence of maternal parvovirus-specific IgG or IgM antibodies in the first trimester, or seroconversion during pregnancy were not associated with lower birthweight or reduced length of gestation in live born children, but was associated with low birthweight in stillborn offspring.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal parvovirus B19 infection was not associated with fetal death in our study. Very few cases of fetal death may be attributed to maternal parvovirus B19 infection.
Sarfraz
A A
AA
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Medical Faculty Division, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway. ashi@broadpark.no
Samuelsen
S O
SO
Bruu
A-L
AL
Jenum
P A
PA
Eskild
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000821:virology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000821:virology*; D016732:Parvovirus B19, Human / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M