Persistent pure red cell aplasia in dicygotic twins with persistent congenital parvovirus B19 infection-remission following high dose intravenous immunoglobulin

Eur J Pediatr. 2014 Dec;173(12):1723-6. doi: 10.1007/s00431-014-2420-5. Epub 2014 Oct 2.

Abstract

We report the course of dicygotic twins born preterm after 29 (4)/7 weeks of gestation due to congenital Parvovirus B19 infection causing fetal hydrops with severe anemia in one infant in whom intrauterine transfusion was impossible to perform and high levels of viremia in both infants. After being discharged, they were readmitted at 3 months of age with critical aplastic crisis. Therapy with intravenous immunoglobulin infusion resulted in decreasing viremia followed by stable hemoglobin levels in both infants.

Conclusion: Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment of congenital pure red cell aplasia due to Parvovirus B19 infection in preterm infants seems to be effective to introduce viral remission and to normalize erythropoiesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • DNA, Viral / analysis*
  • Diseases in Twins / blood
  • Diseases in Twins / drug therapy*
  • Diseases in Twins / virology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / administration & dosage*
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Parvoviridae Infections / blood
  • Parvoviridae Infections / congenital*
  • Parvoviridae Infections / virology
  • Parvovirus B19, Human / genetics*
  • Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / blood
  • Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / drug therapy*
  • Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / etiology
  • Remission Induction
  • Twins, Dizygotic*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Immunologic Factors