There have been three infants born with birth defects and three pregnancy losses as a result of likely maternal Zika virus infection among U.S. women, according to figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The figures, posted by the CDC on June 16, reflect reporting to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry as of June 9. This is not real-time data and reflects only pregnancy outcomes for women with any laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection, though it is not known if Zika virus was the cause of the poor outcomes. The numbers also do not reflect outcomes among ongoing pregnancies.
Zika-related birth defects recorded by the CDC could include microcephaly, calcium deposits in the brain indicating possible brain damage, excess fluid in the brain cavities and surrounding the brain, absent or poorly formed brain structures, abnormal eye development, or other problems resulting from brain damage that affect nerves, muscles, and bones. The pregnancy losses encompass any miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination with evidence of birth defects.
The current numbers include outcomes reported in U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The CDC will begin reporting outcomes in U.S. territories in the coming weeks.
CDC officials plan to update the pregnancy outcome data every Thursday at http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/pregnancy-outcomes.html.
mschneider@frontlinemedcom.com
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