Cytomegalovirus, Parvovirus B19, Varicella Zoster, and Toxoplasmosis in Pregnancy

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus is a common childhood illness and in utero infection often causes hearing loss. Parvovirus can cause Fifth’s disease and eventually hydrops fetalis by preferentially infecting rapidly dividing cells. Varicella, commonly known as chickenpox, is highly contagious and can cause congenital varicella syndrome if the mother is exposed prior to 13 weeks gestation. Toxoplasmosis is acquired through eating infected meat or cat feces with 40% of mothers acutely infected during pregnancy giving birth to babies with congenital toxoplasmosis [1].