Growth and Development of Children with Microcephaly Associated with Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome in Brazil

Abstract

The outbreak of Zika virus in Latin America in the period 2015–2016 has caused a sudden increase in the number of severe manifestations and reports of congenital changes in newborns in Brazil. This is the first study that evaluated and compared the growth and cognitive and motor development of children with microcephaly due to Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome (CZS) in relation to typical children. It was an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study with 8 children with CZS and 16 typical children, with a mean age of 20.5 months (±2.1), in a region of northeastern Brazil. Considering the mean, children with CZS presented extremely low performance in the motor domain and in the cognitive development domain, whereas typical children presented average performance in the cognitive and motor development domains. Children with CZS presented a mean growth rate (head circumference and weight) lower than typical children. Therefore, children with CZS are at risk for growth retardation and development compared to typical children.

Uncertainties, Fear and Stigma: Perceptions of Zika Virus among Pregnant Women in Spain

“…In most cases, ZIKV infections cause a mild self-limited disease, with skin rash and fever as its main clinical features [ 2 ], similar to other arboviral infections caused by dengue and chikungunya, endemic in Central and South America and transmitted by the same vector ( Aedes mosquito species) [ 4 ]. ZIKV infection can cause neurological disorders such as meningoencephalitis or Guillain–Barré syndrome; and if the infection occurs during pregnancy it can be associated with spontaneous abortions, stillbirths and children with neurological impairments, known as Congenital Zika Syndrome [ 1 , 5 ].…”

Using Risk Communication Strategies for Zika Virus Prevention and Control Driven by Community-Based Participatory Research

“…However, an increased risk of neurologic complications, like Guillain-Barré syndrome, and microcephaly are associated with Zika virus infection [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Children born with microcephaly are likely to experience developmental, intellectual, physical, and sensory impairments throughout their lifetime [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Since there is no treatment or vaccine available, WHO recommendations focus attention on the Aedes mosquito as the main vector for Zika infection [ 12 ].…”

Effects in the development of children exposed to zika virus in the fetal period: an integrative review

“…Thus, in ten studies (62.5%) was observed the presence of microcephaly; in seven (43.7%), ocular alterations such as nystagmus or visual impairment; in four (25%), ventriculomegaly; in three (18.7%), subcortical calcifications, alterations in fine motor development, arthrogryposis; in two (12.5%), cortical development malformation, cerebral atrophy, cerebral palsy with microcephaly, changes in motor and cognitive development and hearing loss; and in one (6.25%), convulsions, restless movements at 12 months without microcephaly, changes in sleep pattern, severe hypertonia and heart malformation (5,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) .…”