Ocular findings of congenital Zika virus infection with microcephaly
Cristiane Bezerra da Cruz Costa1,2,3, Denise Freitas4
1Instituto dos Cegos da Paraíba Adalgisa Cunha, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil. cristianebcruz@hotmail.com.
Insights
Infants with congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS) frequently exhibit significant ocular findings, including retinal and optic nerve abnormalities. Early ocular examination is crucial for all infants showing signs of CZS.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS) is a serious concern in affected regions.
- Ocular manifestations are a known, yet variable, feature of CZS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail ocular findings in infants with suspected CZS in Paraíba, Brazil.
- To correlate these findings with existing literature and published cases.
Main Methods:
- Clinical eye examinations were performed on infants with microcephaly suggestive of CZS.
- Patients were classified based on serological testing and clinical signs.
- Results were compared with published clinical cases of CZS.
Main Results:
- Ocular findings were present in 42.9% of 56 infants.
- Common findings included retinal pigmentation, macular chorioretinal atrophy, and optic nerve pallor.
- Retina and optic nerve abnormalities aligned with previous CZS reports, but external ocular changes were absent.
Conclusions:
- Ocular findings in CZS are frequent, severe, and consistent with literature.
- These findings occur irrespective of serological confirmation.
- Ocular examination is recommended for all infants with signs of CZS.
Purpose:
To describe ocular findings in infants with signs of congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS) in Paraíba, Brazil, as well as to conduct a literature review and report correlations with published clinical cases.
Methods:
In the Paraíba sample, infants with microcephaly suggestive of CZS were classified as Z (confirmed), PZ (probable), or SZ (suspected) according to serological testing and/or clinical findings of CZS. The patients underwent a clinical eye examination, and the results were correlated with published clinical cases.
Results:
Ocular findings were present in 24 (42.9%) of 56 patients, consisting of gross retinal pigmentation in 11 (45.8%), macular chorioretinal atrophy in 11 (45.8%), optic nerve hypoplasia in 1 (4.2%), optic nerve pallor in 14 (58.3%), and increased cup-to-disk ratio in 2 (8.3%). The study revealed retina and optic nerve findings consistent with previous reports of ophthalmic involvement in CZS. However, external ocular changes observed in other studies were not detected.
Conclusion:
Ocular findings similar and consistent with the literature on CZS were observed with considerable frequency and severity, regardless of the patients' serological confirmation or classification. Infants with signs of CZS should undergo ocular examination.
