Postnatally Acquired Zika Virus Disease Among Children, United States, 2016-2017

The clinical findings among children with postnatally acquired Zika virus disease are not well characterized. We describe and compare clinical signs and symptoms for children aged <18 years.

Zika virus disease cases were included if they met the national surveillance case definition, had illness onset in 2016 or 2017, resided in a participating state, and were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pediatric cases were aged <18 years; congenital and perinatal infections were excluded. Pediatric cases were matched to adult cases (18‒49 years). Clinical information was compared between younger and older pediatric cases and between children and adults.

A total of 141 pediatric Zika virus disease cases were identified; none experienced neurologic disease. Overall, 28 (20%) were treated in an emergency department, 1 (<1%) was hospitalized; none died. Of the 4 primary clinical signs and symptoms associated with Zika virus disease, 133 (94%) children had rash, 104 (74%) fever, 67 (48%) arthralgia, and 51 (36%) conjunctivitis. Fever, arthralgia, and myalgia were more common in older children (12‒17 years) than younger children (1‒11 years). Arthralgia, arthritis, edema, and myalgia were more common in adults compared to children.

This report supports previous findings that Zika virus disease is generally mild in children. The most common symptoms are similar to other childhood infections, and clinical findings and outcomes are similar to those in adults. Healthcare providers should consider a diagnosis of Zika virus infection in children with fever, rash, arthralgia, or conjunctivitis, who reside in or have traveled to an area where Zika virus transmission is occurring.