Rohit Bhattacharjee, Amity University Kolkata
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a teratogenic arthropod-borne flavivirus. Its vertical transmission can result in foetal injury, which might clinically manifest in a pattern of signs and symptoms recognized as Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). It is marked by structural defects like morphological alterations to the limbs, eyes and brain as well as functional impairments, like difficulty in swallowing and communication. CZS may also arise because of damage to the developing neural system. Recent studies show that ZIKV can impair the viability and growth of neural progenitor cells and post migratory neurons. Microcephaly, a hallmark of CZS is believed to arise when prenatal infections with ZIKV trigger foetal brain disruption sequence leading to brain volume loss, skull collapse and intracranial pressure.
The aim was to investigate neurodevelopment patterns and behaviour in children groups with differing severities of ZIKV-related microcephaly and children with prenatal ZIKV exposure in the absence of microcephaly. Based on screening, differences between the groups for developmental milestones were observed but not behaviour. Among the children with prenatal ZIKV exposure, a gradient of risk of developmental delays was found according to head circumference. Children with severe microcephaly were at highest risk for delays, while normocephalic ZIKV-exposed children had similar risks to unexposed control ones. Thus, it was proposed that ZIKV-exposed children should undergo first-line screening for neurodevelopment and behaviour. Early assessment and follow-up will enable at-risk children to be cited to a more comprehensive developmental evaluation and multidisciplinary care management.
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Source:-
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