Zika Virus Disease and Pregnancy Outcomes in Colombia

This study examines the outcomes of pregnancies during the 2015–2016 Zika virus outbreak in Colombia. Surveillance data from over 18,000 pregnant women with symptomatic Zika virus disease (ZVD) were analyzed, with 5926 cases confirmed via rRT-PCR. Among 5673 pregnancies with confirmed ZVD and known outcomes, 2% resulted in infants or fetuses with brain or eye defects. Adverse outcomes were more frequent when symptoms began in the first trimester. The nationwide prevalence of these defects increased during the outbreak. Findings support the importance of continued surveillance and long term follow up.

This study examines the outcomes of pregnancies during the 2015–2016 Zika virus outbreak in Colombia. Surveillance data from over 18,000 pregnant women with symptomatic Zika virus disease (ZVD) were analyzed, with 5926 cases confirmed via rRT-PCR. Among 5673 pregnancies with confirmed ZVD and known outcomes, 2% resulted in infants or fetuses with brain or eye defects. Adverse outcomes were more frequent when symptoms began in the first trimester. The nationwide prevalence of these defects increased during the outbreak. Findings support the importance of continued surveillance and long term follow up.