Prenatal Effects of Zika Virus and Management of the Pregnant Woman

The identification of Zika virus as a significant teratogen has raised international concern, causing the World Health Organization to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This has allowed a global mobilization of experts in tropical infectious diseases, obstetrics, pediatrics, virology, public health policy, reproductive health, bioethics, and germ cell research to name just a few. This worldwide crisis has also raised awareness of health care disparities and concerns regarding the ability of families and societies to shoulder the long-term financial burden that the follow-up of affected children will require. There is now strong biologic evidence of causality between Zika virus and microcephaly and other neurologic abnormalities identified. Multiple national and international organizations have collaborated to develop guidelines for the management of pregnant women who reside in or who are exposed to Zika virus, whether from travel to affected areas or via sexual contact with an infected individual. These guidelines are updated frequently as data are made available. Testing algorithms are available and though testing is fraught with interpretation issues, the development of better diagnostic tests is ongoing.