Zika-exposed Children may Show Neurodevelopmental Variations

According to a study published in Pediatric Research, children who were exposed to the Zika virus while in the womb but were not given a diagnosis of Zika-related birth defects or Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) could still have changes in mental advancement, mood, and movement compared to unexposed children. These findings indicate that children who are exposed to Zika might require extra support and monitoring as they get older (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Preschool neurodevelopment in Zika virus-exposed children without congenital Zika syndrome

Go to source). "There are still many unanswered questions about the long-term impacts of Zika virus on the children who were exposed to it while in their mother’s womb ," says Sarah Mulkey, M.D., Ph.D, a prenatal-neonatal neurologist in the Prenatal Pediatrics Institute at Children’s National Hospital and the study’s first author. "These findings are another piece of the puzzle that provides insight into the long-term neurological development of children with prenatal Zika virus exposure." "Further evaluation is needed as these children get older." It has not been clear how children who were exposed to the Zika virus in the womb during the 2015–2017 epidemic but did not develop CZS or serious neurological complications will develop as they get older.

In Sabanalarga, Colombia, the brain development of 55 children aged 3-5 years who were exposed to Zika in the womb was compared to that of 70 control children aged 4-5 years who had not been exposed to Zika. Health professionals assessed the children's motor function (such as manual dexterity, aiming and catching, and balance) as well as their school preparedness (including knowledge of colors, letters, numbers, and shapes). Parents filled out three questionnaires detailing their child's cognitive function (such as memory and emotional regulation), physical and behavioral characteristics (such as responsibility and mobility), and parental experience (including whether they felt distress).

When compared to control children, parents of Zika-exposed children reported considerably lower mobility and responsibility, though changes in cognitive function scores just weren't significant. Furthermore, 6 (11%) of Zika-exposed children's parents experienced mood difficulties compared to 1 (1%) of normal controls, and Zika-exposed parents were considerably more likely to indicate parental distress.

Professional testing revealed no significant differences in the Zika-exposed children’s manual dexterity, such as their ability to catch an object or post a coin through a slot, compared to the control children. Both Zika-exposed and control children also scored poorly on readiness for school.

Parents' perceptions or heightened concern about their child's growth may have influenced parental responses in Zika-exposed youngsters. Some of the discrepancies in results could also be attributed to age and, thus, developmental disparities between both groups of kids.

Symptoms and Signs of Zika Virus

The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, and muscle pain. Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected mosquito. Zika can cause birth defects and is linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Guillain-Barré syndrome related to Zika virus infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical and electrophysiological phenotype

Go to source).

How to Protect Yourself from the Zika Virus

• The best way to prevent Zika is to protect yourself from mosquito bites, as the virus is transmitted through mosquito bites.
• Everyone, especially pregnant and breastfeeding women, should take steps to prevent mosquito bites.
• When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Avoid stagnant water to prevent the mosquitoes from breeding (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Zika Virus: A Review of Literature

Go to source).

It can be concluded that, while these Zika-exposed children are developing normally, they may require additional assistance as they prepare to enter school.

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References:

1. Preschool neurodevelopment in Zika virus-exposed children without congenital Zika syndrome - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41390-022-02373-5)
2. Guillain-Barré syndrome related to Zika virus infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical and electrophysiological phenotype - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32339199/)
3. Zika Virus: A Review of Literature - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30254814/)

Source-Medindia