Mumps-Virus Infection in Pregnant Women and the Immunologic Response of Their Offspring

Abstract

Twelve Eskimo children were evaluated 10 years after intrauterine exposure to mumps virus. The mothers of all 12 gave serologic evidence of having been exposed to mumps virus, as did nine older children born before the epidemic (these nine also had positive mumps skin tests). None of the 12 children conceived during the epidemic had mumps-virus neutralizing antibodies, and 10 of 12 had positive mumpsvirus skin tests. Of 32 children born after the epidemic 31 were negative for mumps-virus neutralizing antibody whereas six had a positive mumps skin test. Exposure of the embryo or fetus to mumps virus therefore seems to have evoked immunologic recognition that persisted into childhood. The immunologic response was primarily cellular and manifested by delayed hypersensitivity.