Persistence of villous immaturity in term deliveries following intrauterine transfusion for parvovirus B19 infection and RhD-associated hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn

Abstract

Abstract Fetal anemia and hydrops may be caused by parvovirus B19 infection and maternal alloimmunization to RhD with subsequent hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. The use of intrauterine transfusion over the last few decades has dramatically improved outcomes. Prior literature has extensively documented placental changes associated with untreated parvovirus infection and RhD HDFN in intrauterine fetal demises (IUFD) and pre-term births; however, histopathologic changes in term placentas from term infants treated with IUT have not been reported. We present placental findings in two cases of parvovirus B19-associated hydrops and two cases of RhD HDFN-associated hydrops in term infants after IUT, highlighting unique aspects that may be diagnostically useful for the examining pathologist.