Zika Babies May Develop Microcephaly Months After Birth – Study

Washington — Babies born with congenital Zika virus infection may develop microcephaly, or abnormal smallness of the head, months after birth, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Tuesday.

In its latest Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC described 13 infants in Brazil with congenital Zika virus infection who did not have microcephaly at birth, but experienced slowed head growth as early as five months after birth.

Among these infants, 11 later developed microcephaly, according to the report, a collaboration between US and Brazilian researchers.

“Congenital Zika virus infection without microcephaly at birth previously has been reported,” the report said.

“However, this is the first series of infants with laboratory evidence of congenital Zika virus infection documented to have poor head growth with microcephaly developing after birth.”

The new findings raised alarm for the seemingly healthy babies born to mothers who were infected with Zika worldwide.

“The study reveals that among infants of mothers exposed to Zika virus during pregnancy, the absence of microcephaly at birth does not rule out congenital Zika virus infection or the presence of Zika-related brain abnormalities,” the CDC said in a statement. (PNA/Xinhua) JMC/SSC