Anita Riipinen1, Markku Sallmén2, Lea Hedman3, Anneli Ojajärvi4, Marja-Liisa Lindbohm2, Mira Meriluoto5, Heljä-Marja Surcel6, Helena Taskinen7, Mika Nuutila8, Riitta Karikoski9, Klaus Hedman3, Maria Söderlund-Venermo5. 1. Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland The Social Insurance Institution of Finland, Insurance Region for Southern Finland, Helsinki, Finland. 2. Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland. 3. Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland Laboratory Services, HUSLAB, Department of Virology and Immunology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, Helsinki, Finland. 4. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Centre of Creating Solutions, Helsinki, Finland. 5. Department of Virology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. 6. National Institute for Health and Welfare, Oulu, Finland. 7. Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland University of Helsinki, Hjelt Institute, Helsinki, Finland. 8. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. 9. Department of Pathology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection during early pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage. Studies have inconsistently shown an elevated risk of infection among women with occupational contacts with children. Methodological differences, particularly in defining occupational exposure and in the type of reference group, may explain the conflicting findings. METHODS: This cohort study compared B19V infections in pregnant day-care employees and healthcare professionals during a B19V epidemic in Finland. Women were identified from the files of nationwide trade unions and the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health. Early-pregnancy maternal B19V IgG was analysed in 3710 women, and infections were defined as seroconversions after analysing in parallel the available umbilical cord blood samples of the 847 seronegative mothers. Independently of the serological status, the actual employment during pregnancy was assessed using registered information on employment history. RESULTS: B19V infections were more common among day-care employees (22/331, 6.6%), than among those working in healthcare (12/326, 3.7%). The adjusted HRs of B19V infection, using proportional hazard regression, was 2.63 (95% CI 1.27 to 5.46) among all women and 5.59 (95% CI 1.40 to 22.4) among nulliparous women. CONCLUSIONS: Day-care employees are at an increased risk of B19V infection, which warrants preventive measures. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
BACKGROUND:Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection during early pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage. Studies have inconsistently shown an elevated risk of infection among women with occupational contacts with children. Methodological differences, particularly in defining occupational exposure and in the type of reference group, may explain the conflicting findings. METHODS: This cohort study compared B19V infections in pregnant day-care employees and healthcare professionals during a B19V epidemic in Finland. Women were identified from the files of nationwide trade unions and the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health. Early-pregnancy maternal B19V IgG was analysed in 3710 women, and infections were defined as seroconversions after analysing in parallel the available umbilical cord blood samples of the 847 seronegative mothers. Independently of the serological status, the actual employment during pregnancy was assessed using registered information on employment history. RESULTS: B19V infections were more common among day-care employees (22/331, 6.6%), than among those working in healthcare (12/326, 3.7%). The adjusted HRs of B19V infection, using proportional hazard regression, was 2.63 (95% CI 1.27 to 5.46) among all women and 5.59 (95% CI 1.40 to 22.4) among nulliparous women. CONCLUSIONS: Day-care employees are at an increased risk of B19V infection, which warrants preventive measures. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
Authors: Karla Romero Starke; Marlen Kofahl; Alice Freiberg; Melanie Schubert; Mascha Luisa Groß; Stefanie Schmauder; Janice Hegewald; Daniel Kämpf; Johanna Stranzinger; Albert Nienhaus; Andreas Seidler Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-04-17 Impact factor: 3.390