Fetal hydrops secondary to human parvovirus infection in early pregnancy.

Parvovirus B19 infection has been associated with fetal anaemia, hydrops, and in some cases demise. Most of the reported cases of fetal hydrops were detected in second-trimester fetuses. We report a series of three cases in which human parvovirus infection was associated with hydropic changes at an earlier gestational age. Spontaneous resolution of hydrops occurred in all fetuses. A greater understanding of the natural history of human parvovirus infection is needed prior to deciding on the mode of therapy (conservative management versus in utero fetal therapy).