We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Erythrovirus B19 as a potential cause of fetal hydrops: assessing awareness.
- Authors
Elbaz, Wesam F.; Coyle, Peter; Hunter, Alison; Farrag, Sami
- Abstract
Erythrovirus (previously parvovirus) B19 was discovered accidentally in 1975 while screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (Chan et al, 1998). It is a small ssDNA virus that targets erythroid progenitor cells. Infection with B19 virus during pregnancy may cause serious complications in the fetus such as fetal hydrops and intrauterine fetal death. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential in the management of these complications. We conducted a survey study to assess the awareness of both front and second-line obstetric staff (GPs, midwives, senior house officers, specialist registrars and consultants) of B19 as a potential and treatable cause of hydrops fetalis. Overall there was poor awareness particularly among the front-line carers compared to the second-line carers regarding the diagnosis and management of B19 infection in pregnancy. A total of 94% of the responders agreed there was a need for educational updates on the role of B19 infection during pregnancy.
- Subjects
PARVOVIRUSES; DNA viruses; EDEMA; BODY fluid disorders; METABOLIC disorders; FETAL death
- Publication
British Journal of Midwifery, 2007, Vol 15, Issue 7, p440
- ISSN
0969-4900
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.12968/bjom.2007.15.7.23797