Three-Year Clinical Follow-Up of Children Intrauterine Exposed to Zika Virus

Abstract

Virus del Zika, Infecció congènita; Mcrocefàlia

Virus del Zika; Infección congénita; Microcefalia

Zika virus; Congenital infection; Microcephaly

Congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection may present with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. Some sequelae, particularly neurodevelopmental problems, may have a later onset. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 799 high-risk pregnant women who were followed up until delivery. Eighty-three women and/or newborns were considered ZIKV exposed and/or infected. Laboratory diagnosis was made by polymerase chain reaction in the pregnant mothers and their respective newborns, as well as Dengue virus, Chikungunya virus, and ZIKV serology. Serology for toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and syphilis infections were also performed in microcephalic newborns. The newborns included in the study were followed up until their third birthday. Developmental delay was observed in nine patients (13.2%): mild cognitive delay in three patients, speech delay in three patients, autism spectrum disorder in two patients, and severe neurological abnormalities in one microcephalic patient; sensorineural hearing loss, three patients and dysphagia, six patients. Microcephaly due to ZIKV occurred in three patients (3.6%). Clinical manifestations can appear after the first year of life in children infected/exposed to ZIKV, emphasizing the need for long-term follow-up.

This paper was financed by FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo) (SDP# 2016/8578-0 DFV 2014/26818-2), CNPq Brazilian National Research Council (DFV 309409/2015-2); Brazilian Ministry of Health (SDP #861306/2017) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (SDP # grantPC0002/16).