Zika Virus News & Updates: Newborns with Normal-sized Heads Can Still Be Infected
Babies infected with the Zika virus could still appear with normal-sized heads, a recent study revealed.
Though the presence of Zika among babies is determined through microcephaly or babies with very small heads, a study published on The Lancet noted that this is not the case all the time since newborns with normal-sized heads could still be infected.
What Were the Findings of the Study?
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The researched looked into more than 600 cases of possible Zika virus in Brazil and discovered that about 100 of these babies have normal-sized heads.
"Therefore, the current focus on microcephaly screening alone is too narrow," explained lead author Cesar Victora. He added that some of these cases occur in the late phase of the pregnancy and are usually not reported because babies come out with normal-sized heads.
Victora also shared that mothers infected with the virus sometimes do not develop a rash and have no way of knowing if they have Zika or not.
Better Testing for Zika
In addition, the findings of the researchers suggest that microcephaly should not be the sole basis for telling if a baby has Zika. The lead author mentioned in the similar writeup that there could still be other ways to screen a newborn for a possible infection like an ultrasound of the brain.
Brazilian doctors Guilherme Loureiro Werneck and Jorg Heukelbach earlier discussed in a commentary that a blood test specifically designed to detect the presence of the virus in a person's body is needed.
They also highlighted that mothers need to be very observant on the symptoms of Zika a few weeks or days before giving birth. However, studies also revealed that the infection can sometimes be asymptomatic to some individuals.
How Can Mothers Tell if They Have the Virus?
Zika virus infection among babies could cause neurological damage so mothers need to be aware if they have been infected during pregnancy. However, proper testing on Zika on pregnant women is still lacking, putting them and their future kids in danger of experiencing the effects of the virus.
In explaining the disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that Zika is spread by an infected Aedes mosquito but noted that it can also be passed on through sex and from a pregnant woman to the child she is expecting.
It comes with mild symptoms like fever and rash but it can be dangerous to pregnant women since it usually results to babies with microcephaly.
