Survival of a preterm neonate with late onset hydrops fetalis due to parvovirus B19 infection

This paper presents a case of non-immune hydrops (NIH) which presented late at 28 weeks' gestation during an otherwise asymptomatic pregnancy. A severely hydropic female infant was born with significant cardiorespiratory compromise; however, aggressive resuscitation and postnatal treatment resulted in a favourable outcome. Parvovirus B19 DNA was subsequently detected in postnatal blood samples by nested polymerase chain reaction. This case emphasizes that survival is achievable even in those cases where intrauterine transfusion is not performed. It highlights the importance of prompt delivery and intensive neonatal support in such situations.