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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staff
Complications related to pregnancy
If you're pregnant and you become infected with parvovirus B19, particularly during the first half of your pregnancy, there's a chance your baby may develop serious complications, such as severe anemia. But this occurs in only a small percentage of infected pregnant women.
Fetal anemia can cause congestive heart failure in your baby, manifested by a severe form of edema — swelling of body tissues due to excessive fluid — called fetal hydrops, which may lead to miscarriage. If you have parvovirus infection, your doctor may monitor your pregnancy with ultrasound examinations for the possible development of fetal complications.
The fetal anemia, congestive heart failure and edema can improve over several weeks. Your doctor may suggest steps to try to correct these problems. Possible approaches include a blood transfusion directly to your fetus or giving you medications that pass through your placenta to your fetus.
Most pregnant women with parvovirus infection have normal, healthy babies. Parvovirus infection doesn't increase the risk of birth defects or mental retardation.
Other complications in adults
Other complications in adults include the following:
- If you have sickle cell anemia or other types of anemia in which red blood cells are used up faster than your bone marrow can replace them, parvovirus infection can lead to severe anemia.
- If you have a weakened immune system, particularly if you've undergone chemotherapy, signs and symptoms of the infection can be severe, requiring medical care.
