to magazine The Lancet Regional Health – Americas published, in November last year, the largest and most comprehensive meta-analysis ever conducted on the effects of the zika virus on the children of women infected during pregnancy. The survey, carried out by scientists from the University of Pernambuco (UPE) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, in the United Kingdom, found that almost a third of the sample (31.5%) had health changes, including microcephaly and neurological abnormalities. , ophthalmology and neuroimaging.
The researchers reached their conclusion by analyzing 13 national studies and data from 1,500 Brazilian pregnant women. All participating women had the diagnosis of virus infection confirmed through RT-PCR tests. All were followed up until the end of pregnancy.
Data from each pregnant woman were analyzed individually and organized into a series of possible outcomes caused by the virus in children: low birth weight, ophthalmological and neurological issues, and microcephaly, among others.
According to the meta-analysis, 2.6% of children of infected mothers had microcephaly at the first medical evaluation. However, other children also received the diagnosis over time. In the first years of life, 4% of the children of pregnant women manifested the condition.
The authors of the article explain that the risk of postnatal microcephaly associated with Zika has not been documented before, demonstrating the relevance of monitoring the head growth of all children exposed to the virus before birth, even if they have a normal skull circumference. .
Also according to the meta-analysis, less than 1% of children affected by the mother’s infection had more than one abnormality. This means that the manifestations usually arise in isolation, according to the researchers.
The scientists explain that the discovery serves as an alert for health professionals, who sometimes may not relate a condition to zika because it is an isolated symptom.
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