Zika Virus Infection in Pregnant Women: Mild Symptoms, Severe Complications

Evidence is mounting that Zika virus infection (ZIKVI) may be a cause of serious fetal outcomes, including severe central nervous system complications and death (NEJM JW Infect Dis Apr 2016 and Lancet Infect Dis 2016 Feb 17; [e-pub]).

To further characterize manifestations of ZIKVI in pregnant women and fetuses, investigators at a febrile-illness clinic in Rio de Janeiro conducted a prospective cohort study involving 88 pregnant women at any week of gestation who presented with acute onset rash that had developed within the previous 5 days. Medical, prenatal, and clinical data for each patient were obtained along with serum and urine specimens. Patients were referred for fetal ultrasonography, and infants born to ZIKVI-positive mothers were …