The first step in preventing the spread of Zika virus is early diagnosis. If you are concerned about the possibility of Zika infection in your child, you should schedule a routine examination at birth and at every subsequent well-child visit. Your infant should also receive the standard vaccinations and preventive pediatric care. Further clinical evaluation of congenital Zika virus infection is not routinely recommended. A comprehensive physical exam, including the assessment of fetal growth and development, is necessary for all pregnant women.
The disease is more severe in women who are already pregnant and infected with the disease. The symptoms of infection in pregnant women are usually mild, self-limiting, and transient, and the infant’s symptoms can vary from severe to non-existent. The symptoms of Zika virus infection in pregnant women are typically mild, but can include fever, conjunctivitis, and arthralgia. Among the most common clinical manifestations, pregnancy-specific complications, especially in the second trimester, are listed below.
For pregnant women who exhibit symptoms of Zika virus infection, a routine ultrasound should be performed every three to four weeks. This is necessary from the time of diagnosis. The diagnostic algorithm for arboviral disease in pregnancy is depicted in figure 2 and should be followed. The size of the newborn’s skull is important, and a regular ultrasound examination will help determine if the infection is present or not.
The best time for ultrasound is 2 to 29 weeks after symptoms have appeared. There are no specific guidelines for screening pregnant women for ZIKV infection. But ultrasounds have been shown to detect abnormalities in the brain during the second and third trimesters, which are considered essential for detection of congenital Zika syndrome. The most recent guidelines for the treatment of pregnant women with lab evidence of infection recommended serial ultrasounds every three to four weeks.
The first step in preventing Zika virus infection is to ensure the health of the pregnant woman and her unborn child. During pregnancy, it is important to avoid mosquito bites. If the fetus has an infection, it is important to monitor it carefully with ultrasound. Infections caused by Zika virus may affect the fetus during the first few months of pregnancy. Therefore, a woman may be exposed to Zika virus during the course of pregnancy.
It is important to consider the risk of infection. There is a chance of congenital abnormalities in infants who are exposed to ZIKV during pregnancy. Although most infections are asymptomatic, monitoring of a pregnant woman’s health is critical for detecting any neurological impairment. A newborn’s head circumference is also important. Earlier diagnosis and treatment will ensure the protection of the infant.
