Epstein-Barr virus infection in pregnancy-A prospective controlled study

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common human viruses. To date, there is limited information regarding the influence of maternal EBV infection on pregnancy outcome. Objective: Our aim was to examine the fetal safety of EBV infection in pregnancy. Study design: We prospectively evaluated the rate of major anomalies and pregnancy outcome of women with serologic evidence of primary, recurrent or undefined infection (27, 56, and 43 women, respectively) compared to 1434 women who called the Israeli TIS for non-teratogenic exposure. Results: Women's characteristics and pregnancy outcome were comparable between the EBV exposed and control groups. Similarly, the gestational age at delivery and birth weight were not significantly different. The rate of major congenital anomalies did not significantly differ between the EBV exposed compared to the control group. Conclusion: This study suggests that EBV infection during pregnancy does not represent a major teratogenic risk to the fetus.