P35: Congenital viral diseases

P35.4: Congenital Zika virus disease

Congenital Zika virus disease is a condition that occurs when a fetus is exposed to the Zika virus during pregnancy. This exposure can lead to anomalies in the infant's development, particularly impacting the brain. Transmission occurs through an infected mosquito's bite, though it can also occur through sexual contact, blood transfusion, or laboratory exposure. Common symptoms in infants with this condition include microcephaly, where the head is significantly smaller due to an underdeveloped brain, and other complications such as seizures, developmental delay, problems with movement and balance, hearing and vision problems, and feeding issues due to difficulty swallowing. As this condition is present at birth, it can significantly influence the child's development and quality of life.