Neurodevelopment in the third year of life in children with antenatal ZIKV-exposure
Carolina Yuri Panvequio Aizawa1, Deyse Mayara Rodrigues Caron2, Carolina Barbosa de Souza1
1Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Reabilitação. São Paulo, SP, BR.
Insights
Most children exposed to the Zika virus showed average neurodevelopment at age 3. However, 26% experienced delays, particularly in language development, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy is a public health concern.
- Congenital Zika syndrome can impact neurodevelopment.
- Longitudinal data on neurodevelopmental outcomes in ZIKV-exposed children are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess cognitive, language, and motor neurodevelopment in children with confirmed maternal Zika virus exposure.
- To identify specific developmental domains affected by prenatal ZIKV exposure.
- To explore factors associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Neurodevelopmental assessment using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) at age 3.
- Study cohort included 31 non-microcephalic children with PCR-confirmed maternal Zika virus exposure.
- Data analysis correlated maternal illness timing and gestational age at birth with Bayley-III scores.
Main Results:
- The majority of children (74%) exhibited average neurodevelopmental scores.
- 8 children (26%) presented with developmental delays in at least one domain.
- Language delay was most prevalent (22.6%), with 2 children experiencing severe delay. Cognitive (3.2%) and motor (10%) delays were also observed.
- Maternal illness in the third trimester and later gestational age at birth were linked to higher Bayley-III scores.
Conclusions:
- While most Zika-exposed children demonstrate average neurodevelopment at age 3, a significant minority experience delays, especially in language.
- Prenatal Zika virus exposure can lead to subtle or overt neurodevelopmental deficits requiring careful monitoring.
- Long-term follow-up of Zika-exposed children is essential to understand their developmental trajectory through school age.
Abstract:
We report cognitive, language and motor neurodevelopment, assessed by the Bayley-III test, in 31 non-microcephalic children at age 3 with PCR-confirmed maternal Zika virus exposure (Rio de Janeiro, 2015-2016). Most children had average neurodevelopmental scores, however, 8 children (26%) presented delay in some domain. Language was the most affected: 7 children (22.6%) had a delay in this domain (2 presenting severe delay). Moderate delay was detected in the cognitive (3.2%) and motor (10%) domains. Maternal illness in the third trimester of pregnancy and later gestational age at birth were associated with higher Bayley-III scores. Zika-exposed children require long-term follow-up until school age.
