842 Slapped-Cheek Infections in Children with Severe Complications in Preschool Children
Background The most common illness caused by parvovirus B19 infection is ‘fifth disease’, a mild rash illness that occurs most often in children. The infection often results in no obvious illness. It commonly infects children and typically causes a mild rash that may resemble a “slapped-cheek”. Other symptoms that can occur include joint pain (arthralgia), fever and general flu-like symptoms. Methods Children who are at risk of severe parvovirus complications might benefit from blood tests that can help determine if they’re immune to parvovirus or if they’ve recently become infected. Most cases of slapped cheek syndrome diagnosed by making a visual examination of the distinctive rash. No further testing was usually required in children during three years period 2009–2011 in capital town of Bosnia, Sarajevo. Results Parvovirus infection in children with anemia may stop the production of red blood cells and cause an anemia crisis. Children with severe anemia may need to be hospitalized and receive blood transfusions. Percentage of hospitalized of parvivirus infections in children with anaemia is 19% in Bosnian preschool children, what is only less 1% of complications in this disease. Conclusions Fifth disease can cause fetal anemia, which if undetected can have severe consequences. Several days after the appearance of early symptoms, a distinctive bright red facial rash may appear usually on both cheeks. In most children, parvovirus infection is mild and requires little treatment. Slapped cheek is actually the Parvovirus B19 that only affects humans, especially younger children.