Neurodevelopment Outcome of Newborns Exposed to Zika Virus (ZIKV) in Utero

Infection with Zika Virus (ZIKV) is an emerging disease in South America and a serious public health problem due to a high prevalence of one of the vectors that transmit the virus, Aedes Aegypti, and the severe and sometimes fatal complications that can be generated in the fetus of women infected by the virus during their pregnancy. Retrospective studies have shown an association with microcephaly, cerebral calcifications, dysgenesis of the corpus callosum, and other anomalies of the central nervous system (CNS). The high risk of neurodevelopmental impairment in the exposed newborn is a major concern.

The epidemiologic and neurobiological evidence supporting the link between infection of pregnant women, trimester of infection, and the development of such anomalies in the fetus is growing to the extent that the Center for Disease Control has officially made a statement supporting this association. Although the dimension of the public health impact is still unknown, limited prospective data makes counseling of pregnant women difficult, especially when they are considering termination of pregnancy.

Given that evidence supporting the neurotropic quality of ZIKV and the potential variations of the effect the virus may have on the developing fetal brain according to the gestational age of infection, we have designed a prospective cohort study to determine whether exposure of the fetus to ZIKV in symptomatic mothers results in fetal CNS anomalies and/or impaired neurodevelopmental outcome of the newborn. As a secondary aim we will determine the effect gestational age has on severity of CNS anomalies and neurodevelopmental outcome.

Inclusion criteria

• Pregnant women who on their first prenatal visit (independent of gestational age) confirm through a pre-designed questionnaire that they have had any symptom(s) compatible with ZIKV infection (rash [exanthema or sprout], conjunctivitis, arthralgia or myalgia, fever). Pregnant women with an affirmative response will be categorized in two groups:

• Acute Infection: symptoms of ZIKV infection that occurred within the previous 14 days of the day the pregnant women attended her prenatal visit.
• Late Infection: symptoms of ZIKV infection that occurred more then 14 days from her prenatal visit. Gestational age of onset of symptomatology will be documented at this time.
• Pregnant women without symptoms of ZIKV infection who have a negative RT-PCR for ZIKV and a negative specific serologic test for ZIKV at initial prenatal visit with normal prenatal evaluation. These pregnant women will be selected from non high-risk delivery services.

Exclusion criteria

• Eligible pregnant women that refuse to sign consent for participation in the ZEN Initiative.
• Enrolled pregnant women that withdraw their consent to participate at any time in the study.