Microcephaly Outcomes among Zika Virus-Infected Pregnant Women in Honduras

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2021 Mar 15;104(5):1737-1740. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1483.

Abstract

The impact of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection on pregnancies shows regional variation emphasizing the importance of studies in different geographical areas. We conducted a prospective study in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, recruiting 668 pregnant women between July 20, 2016, and December 31, 2016. We performed Trioplex real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR (rRT-PCR) in 357 serum samples taken at the first prenatal visit. The presence of ZIKV was confirmed in seven pregnancies (7/357, 2.0%). Nine babies (1.6%) had microcephaly (head circumference more than two SDs below the mean), including two (0.3%) with severe microcephaly (head circumference [HC] more than three SDs below the mean). The mothers of both babies with severe microcephaly had evidence of ZIKV infection. A positive ZIKV Trioplex rRT-PCR was associated with a 33.3% (95% CI: 4.3-77.7%) risk of HC more than three SDs below the mean.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Honduras / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Microcephaly / complications
  • Microcephaly / diagnosis*
  • Microcephaly / epidemiology
  • Microcephaly / virology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology
  • Prenatal Diagnosis / methods
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Zika Virus / genetics*
  • Zika Virus Infection / complications
  • Zika Virus Infection / diagnosis*
  • Zika Virus Infection / epidemiology
  • Zika Virus Infection / virology