Infection with Parvovirus B19 and Herpes viruses in early pregnancy and risk of second trimester miscarriage or very preterm birth

We investigated whether infections with Parvovirus B19 and Herpes viruses in early pregnancy increase risks of second trimester miscarriage or delivery before 32 gestational weeks. Blood samples taken in early pregnancy were analyzed for Parvovirus B19 or Herpes viruses. Viremia was found in blood samples of 11 (4.7%) women with second trimester miscarriage and 10 (3.7%) women with very preterm birth, compared to 5 (1.7%) women who delivered at term, corresponding to adjusted odds ratios [95% CI] of 3.32 [0.93, 11.8] and 2.21 [0.71, 6.84], respectively. In stratified analyses, Parvovirus B19 viremia was associated with adjusted odds ratios of 3.76 [0.77, 18.3] for second trimester miscarriage and 2.66 [0.64, 11.1] for very preterm birth. Corresponding odds ratios for Human Herpes virus 6 viremia was 2.52 [0.33, 19.5] and 1.08 [0.14, 8.08], respectively. In conclusion, this study lends some support to the hypothesis that women with viremia in early pregnancy may face an increased risk of second trimester miscarriage or very preterm birth. Studies with larger sample sizes are needed.