West Nile Virus Infection Among Pregnant Women in a Northern Colorado Community, 2003 to 2004

Abstract

Intrauterine WNV infections seemed to be infrequent. In our study, WNV infection during pregnancy did not seem to affect adversely infant health at birth. Larger prospective studies are necessary to measure more completely the effects of maternal WNV infection on pregnancy and infant health outcomes.

Emerging Role of Zika Virus in Adverse Fetal and Neonatal Outcomes

“…Cord blood samples from 22 of 547 deliveries tested positive for IgG antibodies against WNV. No cord blood samples, however, tested positive for IgM antibodies to WNV, providing no evidence of congenital WNV infections (232). The majority of these newborns were healthy, although a few infants were born with malformations, such as chorioretinitis, severe cerebral abnormalities, and neonatal respiratory distress, though no definite association to WNV infection could be established (232).…”

“…As the cord blood, heel stick blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the newborn were positive for WNV-specific IgM and neutralizing antibodies and intrauterine transmission, and infection of the infant was confirmed. Perinatal transmission of WNV has also been investigated in a larger study of pregnant women in the United States (232). Cord blood samples from 22 of 547 deliveries tested positive for IgG antibodies against WNV.…”

Birth Outcomes Following West Nile Virus Infection of Pregnant Women in the United States: 2003-2004

“…Clinical information on 1 elective abortion and 5 of these infants has been reported in part in separate publications. 32,33 Among women who spontaneously aborted, WNV illness onset preceded abortion by a mean of 47 days (range: 17-94 days).…”

West Nile virus in the context of climate change

“…A review (10) of cord blood in 2003/2004 at one hospital in Colorado showed that 4% of 566 pregnant women had immunoglobulin G antibodies to WNV. None had immunoglobulin M antibodies to WNV (10). There were no significant differences in the outcomes of infants born to seropositive versus seronegative mothers.…”