Growth in children with congenital Zika syndrome: a 4-years longitudinal cohort study

ABSTRACT

To describe and analyze the changes in anthropometric parameters in children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) from birth to four years of age. This prospective study evaluated 117 children diagnosed with CZS. Anthropometric indices evaluated annually were classified with respect to presence of microcephaly and adequacy of weight-for-age, length/height for-age and body mass index-for-age (BMI-for-age). At birth, 69.6% of the children had microcephaly, 90.2% had adequate weight and 72.1% had adequate length. The following year, an increase occurred in the proportion of children with microcephaly, with a reduction of those with adequate weight. In the second year, the proportion of children with microcephaly increased again, while those with adequate BMI decreased. In the third to fourth years of life, a reduction was found in the proportion of children with adequate height. Anthropometric indices are affected in children with CZS over the first four years of life and appear to be potentiated over time.

KEYWORDS:

• Zika virus infection
• child development
• microcephaly
• disability evaluation

Acknowledgements

Authors would like to thank the entire research department at IPESQ, as well as the children and their mothers or guardians for having participated in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study received support from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)/Ministry of Education (MEC) (grant number 443372/2016-0), Technological Development (CNPq) (grant number 440619/2016-5). This study was also supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat of Science, Technology and Strategic Supplies, Ministry of Health.

Notes on contributors

Jousilene de Sales Tavares

Joseline de Sales Tavares is a Physical education professional (2005) and PhD in Maternal and Child Health (2015). Currently is a researcher and coordinator of the research institute Professor Joaquim Amorim Neto in Campina Grande, Paraiba Brazil, where she has been developing research on congenital Zika virus syndrome since 2005. Has experience in Epidemiology and Public Health, working mainly on the following topics: determinants of fetal growth, low birth weight, infant growth velocity, weight gain during pregnancy, physical exercise and pregnancy.

Gabriela Lopes Gama

Gabriela Lopes Gama graduated physical therapist (2009) and PhD in health sciences (2017). Professor at the UNIFACISA University Center and Researcher at Professor Joaquim Amorim Neto Research Institute, both in in Campina Grande, Paraiba Brazil. Ai the latter institutions she has been researching about children with congenital Zika Syndrome since 2017. Have experience in rehabilitation of children with neurological disease mainly on the following topics: gross motor function, gait and rehabilitation approaches.

Hannah Cavalcante Guedes Pinheiro

Hannah Cavalcante Guedes Pinheiro Nurse graduated (2016). Currently works as a nurse and researcher assistant at Professor Joaquim Amorim Neto Research Institute, in Campina Grande, Paraiba Brazil, where she provides assistance and develops studies related with Congenital Zika Syndrome.

Girlene Souza de Azevedo

Girlene Souza de Azevedo Graduated in Biomedicine (2019). She is currently a clinical analyst at Elpidio de Almeida Institute and at the Professor Joaquim Amorim Neto Research Institute, both in Campina Grande, Paraiba Brazil. At latter institution, she is also an assistant researcher and has been developing studies about Zika virus since 2009.

Mariana Balbino da Silva

Mariana Balbino da Silva Undergraduate student in biomedicine. She is a research assistant at Instituto de Pesquisa Professor Joaquim Amorim Neto, located in the city of Campina Grande Paraiba Brazil, where has been developing studies about congenital Zika Syndrome.

Chanazy Ayalla de Castro Meira

Chanazy Ayalla de Castro Meira Graduated in Occupational Therapy (2014), completed the multi professional residency in hospital with an emphasis on child and adolescent health (2018). She has experience in child development. Autism Spectrum Disorder and childhood neurological and syndromes. Currently works as an occupational therapist and researcher assistant at Professor Joaquim Amorim Neto Research Institute (IPESQ), in Campina Grande, Paraiba Brazil, where provides assistance and develops studies related to Congenital Zika Syndrome since 2018.

Adriana Suely Oliveira Melo

Adriana Suely Oliveira Melo Graduated in Medicine (1994), has a medical residency in Gynecology and Obstetrics (1996) and PhD in Maternal and Child Health (2012) She is currently Professor at Federal University of Campina Grande, researcher at the UNIFACISA university center, as well as researcher and president of the Professor Joaquim Amorim Neto Research institute, all institutions located in Campina Grande, Paraiba Brazil. In 2016, published the description of the ultrasound findings of congenital Zika syndrome for the first time in the world. She has experience in fetal medicine, epidemiology and public health, working mainly on the following topics: determinants of fetal growth, low birth weight and macrosomia at birth, fetal and maternal visceral adiposity, weight gain during pregnancy, physical exercise and pregnancy, infectious diseases and pregnancy, with an emphasis on Zika virus and congenital Zika infection and arboviruses.

Melania Maria Ramos Amorim

Melania Maria Ramos Amorim Graduated in Medicine (1989), completed medical residency in Gynecology and Obstetrics (1992) and doctorate in Tocogynecology (1998). She is currently an associate professor at Federal University of Campina Grande and at graduate professor at the Professor Fernando Figueira Integral Medicine Institute, Member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), USA and Global Doctors for Choice, founder and Director of the Feminist Network of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (Brazil) as well as Senior Researcher at Research Institute Professor Joaquim Amorim Neto. She works in the area of Women's and Children's Health, with emphasis on lines of research: Evidence-Based Medicine, Humanization of Childbirth and Birth, Hypertension and Pregnancy, High-Risk Pregnancy, Fetal Medicine, Maternal Mortality, Abortion, Intensive Care in Obstetrics, Translational Research, and Gynecologic Surgery. Participated in the group that produced the Brazilian Guidelines for Assistance to Normal Childbirth and Cesarean Section. She was part of the Guideline Development Group (GDG) for the World Health Organization's recommendations on intrapartum care for a positive birth experience.