INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONSULT
Infectious disease pop quiz: Clinical challenge #4 for the ObGyn
Author and Disclosure Information
Concise Q&As to hone your skills in infectious disease symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment in pregnant and nonpregnant women
In this question-and-answer series, our objective is to reinforce for the clinician several practical points of management for common infectious diseases. The principal references for the answers to the questions are 2 textbook chapters written by Dr. Duff.1,2 Other pertinent references are included in the text.
Hydrops fetalis is the most ominous complication of congenital parvovirus infection. The virus crosses the placenta and attacks red cell progenitor cells, resulting in an aplastic anemia. In addition, the virus may cause myocarditis that, in turn, may result in cardiac failure in the fetus.