Zika Brain Defects May Show Up Months After Birth

Zika Mind Defects Could Present Up Months After Delivery

Findings underscore want for persevering with analysis after prenatal publicity

WebMD Information from HealthDay

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Nov. 22, 2016 (HealthDay Information) -- Infants uncovered to the Zika virus within the womb can look regular at start however later present indicators of the devastating start defect microcephaly and different mind abnormalities, researchers reported Tuesday.

Scientists discovered that 13 infants in Brazil who had been uncovered to the mosquito-borne virus throughout gestation had regular head measurement as newborns, however subsequently skilled slower head development.

Eleven of those infants had been recognized with microcephaly -- an abnormally small head and mind -- and different neurologic issues related to Zika syndrome, the researchers reported.

"Amongst infants of moms uncovered to Zika virus throughout being pregnant, the absence of microcephaly at start doesn't rule out congenital Zika virus an infection or the presence of Zika-related mind abnormalities," in line with a information launch from the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

The findings from the U.S. and Brazilian analysis staff underscore the necessity for persevering with analysis of newborns with potential Zika publicity throughout being pregnant, the CDC launch mentioned.

The findings additionally spotlight the "significance of early neuroimaging for infants who had been uncovered to Zika virus prenatally," the company added.

Though these infants all examined constructive for Zika publicity within the womb, irregular head development wasn't detected till not less than 5 months of age, in line with the report.

The findings had been printed Nov. 22 within the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Extra particulars on how the Zika virus impacts infants and adults will likely be introduced to worldwide researchers assembly in Chicago subsequent week.

Most instances within the present disaster have occurred in Latin American international locations. Three new research from Brazil are scheduled for presentation on the annual assembly of the Radiological Society of North America.

In a single examine, researchers used CT imaging to look at the central nervous system of 16 newborns whose moms had been contaminated with Zika throughout being pregnant. The infants had been discovered to have numerous mind abnormalities.

"Our examine proves that Zika virus an infection could cause congenital mind injury in infants with and with out microcephaly," examine creator Dr. Natacha Calheiros de Lima Petribu mentioned in a society information launch. She's with the division of radiology at Barao de Lucena Hospital in Recife, Brazil.