Zika News: 1 in 7 Infants Exposed Prenatally Have Health Issues; Guidance on Timing of Conception Updated

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, and Lorenzo Di Francesco, MD, FACP, FHM

Some 14% of 1-year-olds who were exposed to Zika in utero have health problems potentially caused by the virus, according to an MMWR "Vital Signs" report.

Using a U.S. Zika registry, researchers studied 1450 infants who were aged 1 year or older and had been born in U.S. territories or freely associated states to women with possible or confirmed Zika infection during pregnancy. Some 95% of the infants had physical exams and 76% had developmental screening after age 14 days, as recommended by the CDC. However, just 60% had postnatal neuroimaging, 48% had hearing screens, and 36% had ophthalmologic evaluations.

Overall, 6% had a Zika-related birth defect (e.g., microcephaly), 9% had a neurodevelopmental abnormality potentially related to Zika (e.g., seizures), and 1% had both. Not all health problems were apparent at birth.

The authors note, "Given that most children did not have evidence of all recommended evaluations ... additional unidentified anomalies might exist."

Separately, the CDC issued guidance shortening the timing of conception after potential Zika exposure. In particular, men with possible exposure should wait at least 3 months — rather than 6 months — after symptom onset or their last possible exposure before engaging in unprotected sex. The agency says the longest recorded period of potential sexual transmission is 32–41 days.