Neurodevelopment of children exposed and unexposed to Zika virus in pregnancy: a cross-sectional analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy can lead to congenital abnormalities.
• Neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with in utero ZIKV exposure, especially without microcephaly, require further investigation.
• Understanding the impact of ZIKV on infant development is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with and without in utero ZIKV exposure.
• To identify social and biological factors associated with developmental outcomes in this cohort.
• To evaluate cognitive, language, and motor domains in children aged 11-39 months.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of 172 children (94 ZIKV-exposed, 78 unexposed).
• Neurodevelopmental assessment using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development.
• ZIKV exposure confirmed by maternal RT-PCR or neonatal IgM testing.

Main Results:

• Overall, 30.8% of children exhibited developmental delay or risk in at least one domain.
• The language domain was most affected, with 26.7% of children showing delays or risks.
• No statistically significant differences in delay frequency were observed in cognitive and motor domains between exposed and unexposed groups.

Conclusions:

• In utero ZIKV exposure, even without microcephaly, is associated with neurodevelopmental risks, particularly affecting language development.
• Early identification and intervention are critical for children with suspected ZIKV-related neurodevelopmental challenges.
• Further research into social and biological factors is warranted to fully understand and mitigate ZIKV's long-term neurodevelopmental impact.