MMWR Vol. 66 / No. 23 ► Pregnancy Outcomes After Maternal Zika Virus Infection During Pregnancy — U.S. Territories, January 1, 2016–April 25, 2017

Pregnancy Outcomes After Maternal Zika Virus Infection During Pregnancy — U.S. Territories, January 1, 2016–April 25, 2017 | MMWR

MMWR Weekly
Vol. 66, No. 23
June 16, 2017

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Pregnancy Outcomes After Maternal Zika Virus Infection During Pregnancy — U.S. Territories, January 1, 2016–April 25, 2017

Weekly / June 16, 2017 / 66(23);615-621

On June 8, 2017, this report was posted online as an MMWR Early Release.

Carrie K. Shapiro-Mendoza, PhD1; Marion E. Rice, MPH2,3; Romeo R. Galang, MD2; Anna C. Fulton, MPH2; Kelley VanMaldeghem, MPH2; Miguel Valencia Prado, MD4; Esther Ellis, PhD5; Magele Scott Anesi, MPH6; Regina M. Simeone, MPH2; Emily E. Petersen, MD1; Sascha R. Ellington, MSPH1; Abbey M. Jones, MPH2; Tonya Williams, PhD7; Sarah Reagan-Steiner, MD8; Janice Perez-Padilla, MPH9; Carmen C. Deseda, MD4; Andrew Beron, MPH, MLS5; Aifili John Tufa, MPH10; Asher Rosinger, PhD11,12; Nicole M. Roth, MPH2; Caitlin Green, MPH2; Stacey Martin, MSc9; Camille Delgado Lopez, MPH4; Leah deWilde5; Mary Goodwin, MA, MPA1; H. Pamela Pagano, DrPH1; Cara T. Mai, DrPH2; Carolyn Gould, MD9; Sherif Zaki, MD8; Leishla Nieves Ferrer, MPH4; Michelle S. Davis, PhD5; Eva Lathrop, MD2; Kara Polen, MPH2; Janet D. Cragan, MD2; Megan Reynolds, MPH2; Kimberly B. Newsome, MPH2; Mariam Marcano Huertas4; Julu Bhatangar, PhD8; Alma Martinez Quiñones, MPH4; John F. Nahabedian, MS2; Laura Adams, DVM9; Tyler M. Sharp, PhD9; W. Thane Hancock, MD13; Sonja A. Rasmussen, MD15; Cynthia A. Moore, MD, PhD2; Denise J. Jamieson, MD1; Jorge L. Munoz-Jordan, PhD9; Helentina Garstang, DCHMS16; Afeke Kambui, MPH10; Carolee Masao, DCHMS17; Margaret A. Honein, PhD2; Dana Meaney-Delman, MD14; Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registries Working Group (View author affiliations)

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Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Zika virus infection during pregnancy causes serious brain abnormalities and/or microcephaly and has been associated with other severe birth defects. Local transmission of Zika virus was reported in U.S. territories in 2016.

What is added by this report?

Overall, about 5% of fetuses and infants born to women with laboratory evidence of recent possible Zika virus infection in the U.S. territories had possible Zika-associated birth defects, the same as the percentage reported in the 50 U.S. states during 2016. Possible Zika-associated birth defects including brain abnormalities and/or microcephaly were reported following Zika virus infection during every trimester of pregnancy. Among completed pregnancies with positive nucleic acid tests confirming Zika virus infection identified in the first, second, and third trimesters, the percentages of fetuses or infants with possible Zika-associated birth defects was 8%, 5%, and 4%, respectively.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Current data suggest that Zika virus infection during any trimester of pregnancy might result in Zika-associated birth defects. Identification and follow-up of infants born to women with laboratory evidence of recent possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy can facilitate timely and appropriate clinical intervention services and assessment of future needs. Information about adherence to the recommended newborn testing and screening can improve monitoring and care of infants affected by Zika.