Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026
Modelling Zika Virus Infection of the Developing Human Brain In Vitro Using Stem Cell Derived Cerebral Organoids
Published on: September 19, 2017
In-utero exposure to chikungunya and child morbimortality: a population-based study using linked routine data
Mio Kushibuchi1, Orlagh Carroll2, Thiago Cerqueira-Silva2,3
1Centre for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health (CIDACS), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Brazil. Miokushibuchi0119@gmail.com.
Insights
In-utero Chikungunya virus exposure increases infant hospitalization risk, particularly with intrapartum exposure. This study highlights the long-term health impacts on newborns, emphasizing the need for maternal and neonatal care during outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection during pregnancy poses risks to newborns.
- In-utero CHIKV exposure is associated with neonatal morbidity and potential neurodevelopmental issues.
- Long-term health outcomes following prenatal CHIKV exposure require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term morbidity associated with in-utero Chikungunya virus exposure.
- To quantify the risk of hospitalization and death in infants exposed to CHIKV during gestation.
- To assess the impact of the timing of CHIKV exposure (trimester, intrapartum) on infant health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Registry-based cohort study in Brazil (2015-2018).
- Linked infant records to track all-cause first hospitalization and death until age three.
- Utilized adjusted stratified Cox models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and confidence intervals (CIs).
Main Results:
- 1,821 CHIKV-exposed and 18,210 unexposed infants were analyzed.
- In-utero CHIKV exposure showed an elevated hospitalization risk (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.11-1.36).
- Intrapartum exposure carried a twofold increased risk (HR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.33-3.44); first and second-trimester exposures also elevated risk. Evidence for increased mortality risk was limited.
Conclusions:
- In-utero Chikungunya virus exposure is associated with significantly elevated infant hospitalization rates.
- The timing of exposure, especially intrapartum, influences the severity of health risks.
- Findings underscore the importance of monitoring and managing CHIKV in pregnant populations to mitigate adverse infant outcomes.
Abstract:
Chikungunya exposure in-utero is linked to neonatal morbidity and neurodevelopmental effects. We examined the long-term morbidity associated with in-utero Chikungunya. This registry-based cohort study linked records of infants born in Brazil between 2015 and 2018, with all-cause first hospitalization and death as outcome. Infants were followed until the outcome, their third birthday, or the end of the study. Adjusted stratified Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR), 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and absolute risk differences. A total of 1,821 exposed and 18,210 unexposed infants were included. The HR for hospitalization was 1.21 (95% CI: 1.11-1.36), corresponding to 37 excess hospitalizations per 1000 exposed (95% CI: 16-64). The risk was twofold for intrapartum exposure (HR 2.08, 95% CI: 1.33-3.44) and elevated for first- and second-trimester exposure. Evidence for risk of death was limited. Here we show an elevated hospitalization risk associated with in-utero Chikungunya exposure.
More Related Videos
09:39Establishing Mouse Models for Zika Virus-induced Neurological Disorders Using Intracerebral Injection Strategies: Embryonic, Neonatal, and Adult
Published on: April 26, 2018
06:18Multiplexed Isothermal Amplification Based Diagnostic Platform to Detect Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue 1
Published on: March 13, 2018
