CDC Guidelines for Infants Exposed to Zika Virus

The U.S Centers for Disease Control have published interim guidelines evaluation and testing of infants born to mothers who may have been exposed to Zika virus during pregnancy. The guidelines suggest that pediatric health providers should work together with obstetric providers in order to identify infants whose mothers may have been exposed to Zika virus during pregnancy and fetal ultrasounds should be reviewed and maternal testing for Zika virus should be considered. Infants with microcephaly or intracranial calcifications born to women who traveled to or resided in an area with Zika virus transmission during pregnancy, and infants born to mothers with positive or inconclusive results of Zika virus infection, should undergoing Zika virus testing. If laboratory evidence of possible congenital Zika virus infection is found, those infants should undergo further clinical evaluation and follow-up. The only way to prevent congenital Zika virus infection is to prevent maternal infection, either by avoiding areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing or strictly following steps to avoid mosquito bites.

Staples JE, Dziuban EJ, Fischer M, et al. Interim Guidelines for the Evaluation and Testing of Infants with Possible Congenital Zika Virus Infection — United States, 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016; 65(Early Release):1–5. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6503e3er.