Fetal anemia, cerebellar hemorrhage and hypoplasia associated with congenital Parvovirus infection

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2017 Aug;30(16):1887-1890. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2016.1228103. Epub 2016 Sep 9.

Abstract

We report a case of fetal cerebellar hemorrhage and hypoplasia, identified by fetal MRI after intrauterine blood transfusion at 21 weeks' gestation for treatment of severe anemia due to congenital Parvovirus infection. Postnatal MRI confirmed atrophy of bilateral cerebellar hemispheres and inferior vermis. Cerebellar capillaries may be extremely susceptible to hemodynamic changes in the setting of intrauterine blood transfusion due to severe anemia. Although the correlation between fetal intracranial anomalies and Parvovirus infection remains unclear, in this population, a detailed evaluation of the brain parenchyma should be considered prior to and after intrauterine blood transfusion.

Keywords: Congenital Parvovirus; cerebellar hemorrhage; cerebellar hypoplasia; fetal anemia; intrauterine transfusion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia / therapy
  • Anemia / virology*
  • Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine
  • Cerebellum / abnormalities*
  • Cerebellum / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebellum / virology
  • Developmental Disabilities / diagnostic imaging
  • Developmental Disabilities / virology
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Fetal Diseases / virology*
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / diagnostic imaging
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / virology*
  • Nervous System Malformations / diagnostic imaging
  • Nervous System Malformations / virology*
  • Parvoviridae Infections / complications
  • Parvoviridae Infections / congenital*
  • Parvoviridae Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Pregnancy

Supplementary concepts

  • Cerebellar Hypoplasia