pediatrics
Erythema Infectiosum (Parvovirus B19 Infection)
Key Points
Children develop low-grade fever and slight malaise followed several days later by an indurated, confluent erythema on the cheeks (“slapped-cheek” appearance) and a symmetric rash that is most prominent on the arms, legs, and trunk. There is mild, transient suppression of erythropoiesis that is asymptomatic except sometimes in children with hemoglobinopathies (eg, sickle cell disease) or other red blood cell disorders (eg, hereditary spherocytosis), or immunosuppression. Risk of fetal death is 2 to 6% after maternal infection, with risk greatest during the first half of pregnancy. Testing is done mainly in children with transient aplastic crisis or adults with arthropathy. Treatment is symptomatic, but patients who are immunocompromised may benefit from IV immune globulin. 