Children exposed to Zika while their mothers were pregnant during the initial Zika outbreak in 2016 are developing secondary neurodevelopmental problems, according to the CDC's most recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Here are five things to know:
1. The CDC analyzed neurodevelopmental issues in children exposed to the virus in utero who were at least 1 year old using the data from the S. Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry.
2. The CDC found 14 percent of born to mothers contracting Zika, had a Zika-associated birth defect, neurodevelopmental abnormality possibly associated with congenital Zika virus infection identified, or both.
3. Of these children, 9 percent exhibited at least one neurodevelopmental abnormality symptomatic of congenital Zika, including seizures, hearing problems, swallowing difficulties and movement issues like cerebral palsy. Six percent featured a definite Zika-related birth defect and 1 percent had both birth defects and neurodevelopmental problems.
"By continuing to follow these babies as they age and grow, we will learn more about Zika and remain alert to the problems that develop over time,” Robert Redfield, CDC director, told STAT and other reporters.
4. Peggy Honein, PhD, director of the CDC's Division of Congenital and Developmental Disorders, said the agency does not have baseline rates for the babies born with neurodevelopmental abnormalities. This makes knowing whether Zika is causing abnormalities difficult.
5. In Jan. 2016, the CDC issued recommendations to physicians on how to evaluate infant exposure to Zika during pregnancy, even if the infant in question appears healthy at birth, which included a set of setting to be conducted while the mother is still caring the baby. However, according to a follow up investigation, not all pregnancies received the advanced testing.
Ms. Honein told STAT, “We still think there are opportunities for improvement here."
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