Coxsackie virus and pregnancy

  We have 2 children.  My husband and I don't use birth control since our
  first child was a test tube baby, although the second one came along with
  no outside help exactly 2 years after the first one.  Our youngest is now
  22 months old.  I have irregular cycles anywhere from 28 to 36 days long.  
  I am on my 42nd day now, but a pregnancy test was neg.  That's the back-
  ground.  My real question is this:  My daughter was diagnosed with
  Coxsackie virus today.  My sister said she heard this can cause birth
  defects if pregnant women are exposed to this.  Is this true?  Am I more,
  or less susceptible because of where I am in the pregnancy (if there is one)?
Dear Amy:
Coxsacievirus infections may be clinically very mild or they may cause significant respiratory, meningeal, and cardiac illness.
There have been reports that mild symptoms in pregnant women have been associated with infection of the fetus: possible outcomes range from fetal infection to congenital anomalies and to fetal death.
Infection during the first three months of pregnancy when organ systems are forming is more worrisome than infection near full term.
Keywords: Coxsackie virus
This information is provided for general education purposes only and is not a medical consultation. If you have specific questions, please contact your physician.