Functional Limitations Ongoing With Congenital Zika

FRIDAY, Dec. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Severe functional limitations are reported among children with microcephaly and laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection in infancy, according to research published in the Dec. 15 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Ashley Satterfield-Nash, Dr.P.H., from the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education in Tennessee, and colleagues characterized the subsequent health and development of children with microcephaly and laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection in early infancy. Data were included for 19 children who were assessed through clinical evaluations, caregiver interviews, and review of medical records.

The researchers found that most of these children had severe motor impairment, seizure disorders, hearing and vision abnormalities, feeding difficulties, and sleep difficulties at follow-up (age 19 to 24 months; median 22 months). All children had at least one of these outcomes, 12 had three to five, and two had all six outcomes.

“This report provides information on the ongoing challenges facing children with severe congenital Zika virus syndrome; these children will require specialized care from clinicians and caregivers as they age,” the authors write. “These findings allow for anticipation of medical and social service needs of affected children and their families.”

Abstract/Full Text