Researchers Document Zika-Related Microcephaly Onset After Birth

Their report was published Nov. 22 in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, describing 13 infants in Brazil with congenital Zika virus infection who did not have microcephaly at birth but later experienced slowed head growth.

  • Nov 28, 2016

CDC announced that some of its researchers, working with researchers from the United States and Brazil, have investigated the first series of infants with laboratory evidence of congenital Zika virus infection documented to have the onset of microcephaly after birth. Their report was published Nov. 22 in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, describing 13 infants in Brazil with congenital Zika virus infection who did not have microcephaly at birth but later experienced slowed head growth.

Eleven of the children later developed microcephaly. "Slowed head growth and microcephaly were accompanied by significant neurologic complications. Although microcephaly was not present at birth, the infants had other brain abnormalities consistent with congenital Zika syndrome," CDC reported. "The study reveals that among infants of mothers exposed to Zika virus during pregnancy, the absence of microcephaly at birth does not rule out congenital Zika virus infection or the presence of Zika-related brain abnormalities."

The agency's report said these findings highlight the importance of CDC's recent guidance on initial and continuing medical and developmental evaluations of infants with possible congenital Zika virus infection and the importance of early neuro imaging for infants who were exposed to Zika virus prenatally.

CDC continues to recommend that pregnant women not travel to areas with Zika. If a pregnant woman travels to or lives in an area with active Zika virus transmission, she should talk with her healthcare provider and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual transmission of Zika virus, and pregnant women with possible exposure to Zika virus should be tested for Zika infection even if they do not have symptoms.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/.

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