Neurodevelopmental outcome after intrauterine red cell transfusion for Parvovirus B19-induced fetal hydrops

Objective To assess long term neurodevelopmental outcome of children after intrauterine intravascular red cell transfusion (IUT) for Parvovirus B19-induced fetal hydrops. Design Data of study children were investigated retrospectively. Neurodevelopmental evaluation was performed by appropriate standard tests (Griffiths, Snijders-Oomen, Kaufmann Assessment Battery for Children tests). Setting Tertiary care university teaching hospital. Sample Twenty children who had Parvovirus-induced fetal hydrops and intrauterine transfusion of packed red blood cells (JUT). Methods Retrospective chart analysis and standard neurodevelopmental testing. Main outcome measures Developmental quotient (DQ) and intelligence quotient (IQ) according to the age at testing. Results Twenty survivors of Parvovirus B19-induced fetal hydrops successfully treated by IUT were followed until 13 months to nine years of age. On clinical follow up, no neurologic sequelae were evident. Neurodevelopmental scores of all children ranged within two standard deviations of a normal population (median 101, range 86-116) and exceeded one standard deviation in three children. There was no significant neurodevelopmental delay. Conclusion Children having survived successful IUT for Parvovirus B19-induced fetal anaemia and hydrops have a good neurodevelopmental prognosis. Our results support the use of IUT for correction of Parvovirus B19-induced fetal anaemia and subsequent hydrops.