Parvovirus B19 Intrauterine Infection and Cerebral Cortical Dysplasia: A Case Report.

Abstract

Background: Intrauterine parvovirus B19 infection usually causes fetal anemia, hydrops, and stillbirth. Less commonly, central nervous system injuries have also been described.

Case presentation: We report an atypical case of severe brain injury with diffuse malformation of cortical development and severely immature gyration in a preterm infant with profound fetal anemia and hydrops due to congenital parvovirus B19 infection. The fetus was treated with multiple intrauterine transfusions. Postnatal magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed extensive encephalomalacia with severe volume loss of both hemispheres, associated with a deranged, markedly immature gyration.

Conclusion: This case provides the first description of severe delay in brain maturation in intrauterine parvovirus B19 infection and represents evidence of a possible teratogenic effect of parvovirus B19 on the brain tissue.