4.3 Review

Neurodevelopmental outcomes in congenital and perinatal infections

Related references

Note: Only part of the references are listed.
Article Otorhinolaryngology

Hearing outcomes in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection: From management controversies to lack of parents? knowledge

Mirko Alde et al.

Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the main characteristics of cCMV-infected children and their long-term hearing outcomes. The results showed that children with cCMV infection had a high prevalence of speech-language delay, sensorineural hearing loss, motor delay, cognitive delay, and balance disorders. Symptomatic children had a higher prevalence of neurological and auditory sequelae.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY (2023)

Article Obstetrics & Gynecology

First- or second-trimester SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent pregnancy outcomes

Brenna L. Hughes et al.

Summary: This study aimed to evaluate whether the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy persists after an acute maternal illness. The results showed that SARS-CoV-2 infection before 28 weeks of gestation was associated with an increased risk of fetal or neonatal death, preterm birth, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. However, there was no significant association between SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and low birth weight or major congenital malformations.

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY (2023)

Article Psychology, Developmental

Neurodevelopmental outcomes in a cohort of children with congenital Zika syndrome at 12 and 24 months of age

Fernanda J. P. Marques et al.

Summary: This study analyzed the developmental trajectories of children born with CZS in the first 24 months of life. The results showed that Zika virus congenital infection is a risk factor for functional impairments across all developmental domains and has a direct and substantial negative impact on early child development.

CHILD CARE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT (2023)

Review Acoustics

Neonatal and long-term outcomes of infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection and negative amniocentesis: systematic review and meta-analysis

C. Chatzakis et al.

Summary: This study compared the incidence of fetal insult and long-term sequelae in pregnant women with negative and positive amniocentesis results. The false-negative rate of amniocentesis was 8.0%. Fetuses with a negative amniocentesis result had a lower rate of severe symptoms at birth (0.0%) and severe sensorineural hearing loss/neurodevelopmental impairment at follow-up (0.0%) compared to those with a positive result (22.0% and 14.0% respectively). The rate of pregnancy termination due to positive amniocentesis results was 20.0%.

ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY (2023)

Article Infectious Diseases

Toxoplasmosis: A Timeless Challenge for Pregnancy

Tuba Damar Cakirca et al.

Summary: This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women and the outcomes of acute toxoplasma infection (ATI) during pregnancy. The results showed a prevalence of toxoplasmosis of 46.2% and an ATI rate of 4% in pregnant women. The transmission rate from mother to child was 5%, with congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) observed in 1.1% of children born to mothers who received spiramycin prophylaxis and 30.8% of children born to untreated mothers. Prenatal spiramycin prophylaxis was found to be significantly effective in preventing CT.

TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE (2023)

Article Obstetrics & Gynecology

SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, stillbirth, and maternal COVID-19 vaccination: clinical-pathologic correlations

David A. Schwartz et al.

Summary: Stillbirth is a recognized complication of COVID-19 in pregnant women, which is caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection of the placenta. Placental pathology in cases of stillbirth includes increased fibrin deposition, chronic histiocytic intervillositis, and trophoblast necrosis. These pathologic lesions, called SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, lead to severe placental destruction and oxygen insufficiency, resulting in stillbirth and neonatal death. It is worth noting that all reported cases of SARS-CoV-2 placentitis causing stillbirth and neonatal death involved unvaccinated mothers. Development of SARS-CoV-2 placentitis may be related to SARS-CoV-2 viremia during pregnancy. This article discusses the relationship between maternal COVID-19 vaccination, SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, and perinatal death from clinical and pathologic perspectives.

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY (2023)

Review Pediatrics

Omics approaches: interactions at the maternal-fetal interface and origins of child health and disease

Maide Ozen et al.

Summary: This article provides a summary of the emerging field of immunoperinatology, highlighting the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration in identifying unique immunologic signatures of specific diseases in neonates. It further discusses the application of omics approaches and machine learning in unraveling the mechanisms of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes, and their potential for guiding the development of novel therapies to improve maternal and neonatal health.

PEDIATRIC RESEARCH (2023)

Article Medicine, General & Internal

Assessment of Neurodevelopment in Infants With and Without Exposure to Asymptomatic or Mild Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection During Pregnancy

Morgan R. Firestein et al.

Summary: This study examined the association between mild or asymptomatic maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and infant neurodevelopmental differences. The results showed no significant association between prenatal exposure to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection and infant neurodevelopment. These findings are important for public health, especially for pregnant individuals who experience asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 infections.

JAMA NETWORK OPEN (2023)

Article Immunology

Spyramicine and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Combination to Prevent Mother-To-Fetus Transmission of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Pregnant Women: A 28-Years Single-center Experience

Danilo Buonsenso et al.

Summary: A retrospective study compared the efficacy of three different treatment regimens for preventing mother-to-fetus transmission of Toxoplasma gondii infection. The combination of Spiramicyn with Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (Spy+TMP-SMX) was found to be more effective in reducing transmission risk compared to Spiramicyn alone, and it was not inferior to the standard-of-care treatment Pyrimethamine-Sulfadiazine (P/S).

PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL (2022)

Review Genetics & Heredity

A systematic review of maternal TORCH serology as a screen for suspected fetal infection

Danielle Fitzpatrick et al.

Summary: The review on maternal TORCH serology in pregnancy following fetal ultrasound abnormalities found low diagnostic yield for non-specific ultrasound abnormalities such as isolated fetal growth restriction or isolated polyhydramnios, suggesting retirement of the TORCH acronym and reflex ordering of TORCH panels.

PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS (2022)

Review Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

COVID-19 in pregnancy: implications for fetal brain development

Lydia L. Shook et al.

Summary: The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the developing fetal brain during pregnancy is still not well understood. However, other antenatal infections have been associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. Evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections during pregnancy can lead to immune activation in the mother, placenta, and fetus, resulting in neurodevelopmental issues in the next generation. Cellular models of fetal brain development are needed to better understand the potential short- and long-term impacts of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection.

TRENDS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE (2022)

Article Pediatrics

Association of Birth During the COVID-19 Pandemic With Neurodevelopmental Status at 6 Months in Infants With and Without In Utero Exposure to Maternal SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Lauren C. Shuffrey et al.

Summary: This study found differences in neurodevelopment at 6 months for children born during the COVID-19 pandemic, but no significant association with in utero exposure to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection.

JAMA PEDIATRICS (2022)

Article Pediatrics

Neurodevelopment in normocephalic children with and without prenatal Zika virus exposure

Karen Blackmon et al.

Summary: Neurodevelopmental outcomes were compared between ZIKV-exposed children with normal head circumference at birth and a control group, showing that overall neurodevelopment is likely unaffected in the exposed group, but the visual system may be selectively vulnerable, indicating the importance of vision testing by 3 years of age.

ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD (2022)

Article Obstetrics & Gynecology

Clinical-pathological features in placentas of pregnancies with SARS-CoV-2 infection and adverse outcome: case series with and without congenital transmission

Mehreen Zaigham et al.

Summary: The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between clinical outcomes and pathology in SARS-CoV-2 infected placentas in stillborn and live-born infants. The study found that SARS-CoV-2 can cause placental dysfunction, leading to fetal hypoxia and intrauterine fetal compromise. Pathological changes in the placenta associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection included massive perivillous fibrinoid deposition, intervillositis, and trophoblast degeneration.

BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY (2022)

Article Pediatrics

Early Childhood Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children with Prenatal Zika Virus Exposure: A Cohort Study in Puerto Rico

Luisa Alvarado-Domenech et al.

Summary: This study describes the anthropometric, sensory, and neurodevelopmental outcomes of children exposed to Zika virus from birth to 36 months. The results show that the presence of neurodevelopmental sequelae in early childhood is critical and language domain is the most vulnerable. Early intervention can promote cognitive development and school readiness in exposed children.

JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS (2022)

Article Virology

Zika Virus Induces Mitotic Catastrophe in Human Neural Progenitors by Triggering Unscheduled Mitotic Entry in the Presence of DNA Damage While Functionally Depleting Nuclear PNKP

Malgorzata Rychlowska et al.

Summary: The study reveals that Zika virus infection leads to mitotic catastrophe in neuronal progenitor cells, resulting in a depletion of cortical neurons. Zika virus infection affects the localization and function of DNA repair proteins, leading to accumulation of DNA damage in cells. Additionally, Zika virus can induce unscheduled mitotic entry through activation of cytoplasmic CDK1/Cyclin A complexes. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying microcephaly caused by Zika virus.

JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY (2022)

Article Medicine, General & Internal

Rubella

Amy K Winter et al.

LANCET (2022)

Review Genetics & Heredity

Fetal and neonatal abnormalities due to congenital syphilis: A literature review

Marion David et al.

Summary: The recent increase in congenital syphilis infection is causing fetal and neonatal abnormalities among women of childbearing age. This study aims to summarize these abnormalities, particularly the ones that can be diagnosed prenatally.

PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS (2022)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Prognostic determinants of hearing outcomes in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Ta-Hsuan Lo et al.

Summary: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is the most prevalent cause of non-genetic sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children. This study found that the presence of symptoms at birth, failure in newborn hearing screening (NHS), and blood viral load may be prognostic factors for hearing outcomes. Regular audiologic examinations are necessary in all children with cCMV infection even after viral clearance.

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2022)

Review Neurosciences

Virus-Induced Maternal Immune Activation as an Environmental Factor in the Etiology of Autism and Schizophrenia

Aicha Massarali et al.

Summary: Maternal immune activation is a phenomenon that is caused by the activation of inflammatory pathways and affects fetal neural development. Maternal viral infection is one of the significant factors that lead to immune activation in pregnant women. Maternal immune activation and immune abnormalities play key roles in the development of conditions such as autism and schizophrenia. The methods of studying maternal immune activation include animal models and human epidemiological studies, but both have limitations.

FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE (2022)

Review Immunology

Effects of Vertical Transmission of Respiratory Viruses to the Offspring

Sara Manti et al.

Summary: Maternal infections during pregnancy can have significant consequences for the developing fetus. The maternal immune system undergoes complex changes to tolerate the fetus, but this does not suppress susceptibility to respiratory pathogens. Infections such as influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 can lead to acute and chronic complications in neonates and children.

FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY (2022)

Review Immunology

Consequences of Viral Infection and Cytokine Production During Pregnancy on Brain Development in Offspring

Daniela Elgueta et al.

Summary: Infections during pregnancy can have serious consequences for fetal neurodevelopment, leading to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder and cognitive impairment. The mechanisms behind these effects may involve aberrant activation of the maternal immune system, leading to inflammation and direct infection of fetal neural cells.

FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY (2022)

Article Medicine, General & Internal

Congenital Zika Syndrome: Genetic Avenues for Diagnosis and Therapy, Possible Management and Long-Term Outcomes

Giuseppe Gullo et al.

Summary: This review focuses on different aspects of congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, with a special emphasis on the long-term clinical and neuroimaging outcomes in children. The study highlights that the pathogenesis of the disease is not fully understood and the clinical signs are not limited to microcephaly. The authors propose optimization of diagnostic protocols in endemic countries and emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate management of chronic problems. Further research and long-term follow-up are needed to improve treatment strategies for this relatively recently discovered congenital infectious syndrome.

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE (2022)

Article Obstetrics & Gynecology

Genital Tract Infections in Women, Pregnancy and Neonates

Alphonse N. Ngalame et al.

Summary: Treatable genital infections in women and pregnancy are common globally and pose significant risks to the health of women and infants in low- and middle-income countries. The availability of high-quality diagnostic testing and self-collected vaginal swabs offers improved health outcomes when international guidelines shift towards routine screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Urgent practice change is needed to meet the WHO's global STI elimination strategy by 2030.

OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA (2022)

Article Pediatrics

Emerging Concepts in Congenital Cytomegalovirus

Megan H. Pesch et al.

Summary: This article reviews recent developments in the understanding of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), including epidemiology and transmission, diagnostic strategies, newborn screening programs, therapeutics, and vaccine trials. It discusses how this knowledge informs the pathophysiology of cCMV and directs strategies for improving outcomes and quality of life for infected children. The article also provides an update on the epidemiology of cCMV in the United States, evolving understanding of maternal-fetal transmission, enhanced screening approaches, and recognition of neonatal and long-term sequelae. Finally, it reviews the current landscape of pediatric cCMV research and gives recommendations for future investigation.

PEDIATRICS (2022)

Review Genetics & Heredity

Congenital lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus: A review

Lucile Pencole et al.

Summary: LCMV is a rare congenital infection that can result in high mortality and morbidity. This article reviews the various morphological abnormalities associated with congenital LCMV infection, including brain abnormalities such as chorioretinitis, hydrocephaly, microcephaly, ventriculomegaly, and periventricular calcifications. Other extracerebral abnormalities such as small for gestational age, ascites, cardiomegaly, and anemia were also observed. Antenatal ultrasound examination could detect major cerebral abnormalities in 70% of cases. Congenital LCMV infection is associated with a significant mortality rate and survivors often suffer from severe neurological sequelae.

PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS (2022)

Review Environmental Sciences

Neurodevelopment in Normocephalic Children Exposed to Zika Virus in Utero with No Observable Defects at Birth: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Elena Marban-Castro et al.

Summary: This systematic review assessed the long-term neurodevelopmental effects of ZIKV exposure in utero on normocephalic children. The study found that infants and children born to mothers infected with ZIKV during pregnancy had delays in non-language cognitive, language, and motor development. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the high heterogeneity, and larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH (2022)

Article Medicine, General & Internal

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at 1 Year in Infants of Mothers Who Tested Positive for SARS-CoV-2 During Pregnancy

Andrea G. Edlow et al.

Summary: This study found preliminary evidence that in utero exposure to SARS-CoV-2 may be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in the first 12 months after birth.

JAMA NETWORK OPEN (2022)

Article Obstetrics & Gynecology

Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of COVID-19: The PAN-COVID study

E. Mullins et al.

Summary: This study aims to assess perinatal outcomes for pregnancies affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection. The results show that infection may lead to indicated pre-term birth and fetal growth restriction, but there is no effect on birthweight or congenital malformations. Participants delivering within 2 weeks after infection have a higher risk of stillbirth. Preventive measures should focus on the impact of infection during pregnancy.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY (2022)

Article Microbiology

Maternal-Fetal Infections (Cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasma, Syphilis): Short-Term and Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children Infected and Uninfected at Birth

Cinzia Auriti et al.

Summary: This study aims to explore the association between symptoms and time of onset of long-term sequelae in infected children born from mothers who contracted an infection during pregnancy, through a long-term multidisciplinary follow-up. Cognitive, motor, audiological, visual, and language outcomes were evaluated in infants with symptomatic and asymptomatic congenital infections and in uninfected infants for up to 2-4 years.

PATHOGENS (2022)

Review Medicine, General & Internal

COVID-19 Pandemic and Infant Neurodevelopmental Impairment A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Kamran Hessami et al.

Summary: The research suggests a potential association between the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of NDI, with gestational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 potentially increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment in infants.

JAMA NETWORK OPEN (2022)

Article Obstetrics & Gynecology

Neurodevelopment in infants with antenatal or early neonatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2

Sarah B. Mulkey et al.

Summary: This study aimed to determine the impact of early SARS-CoV-2 exposure on neurodevelopment. The research found that infants exposed in utero to symptomatic mothers were more likely to have abnormal neurologic exams and lower ASQ scores. This suggests that early SARS-CoV-2 exposure may have adverse effects on neurodevelopment.

EARLY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (2022)

Article Pediatrics

Early neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with asymptomatic congenital CMV infection

Maria Novelli et al.

Summary: This study investigated the impact of asymptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection on neurological outcomes in children. The results showed that most children had normal neurological development, but some displayed minor abnormalities. This suggests the importance of monitoring neurodevelopment in infants with cytomegalovirus infection.

ITALIAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS (2022)

Review Clinical Neurology

Prenatal cytomegalovirus, rubella, and Zika virus infections associated with developmental disabilities: past, present, and future

Eliza Gordon-Lipkin et al.

Summary: This article discusses the relationship between prenatal infections and developmental disabilities, emphasizing the importance of lessons learned from historically significant pathogens in dealing with emerging congenital infections. Prenatal infections are preventable causes of developmental disabilities, and various public health approaches can be used for prevention.

DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY (2021)

Article Pediatrics

Long-Term Outcomes of Infants with Congenital Zika Virus Infection in Ecuador: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study

Miguel Garcia-Boyano et al.

Summary: In Ecuador, most children born with congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) infection showed severe characteristics of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), such as severe microcephaly, severe neurodevelopmental delay, and epileptic seizures. Two of the patients died.

JOURNAL OF TROPICAL PEDIATRICS (2021)

Review Acoustics

Outcome of fetuses with congenital cytomegalovirus infection and normal ultrasound at diagnosis: systematic review and meta-analysis

D. Buca et al.

Summary: In fetuses with congenital CMV infection and normal prenatal ultrasound, the rate of an associated central nervous system anomaly detected on follow-up ultrasound was 4.4%, with 5.8% detected exclusively on MRI and 3.2% on postnatal imaging. The rate of an associated extra-CNS anomaly detected on follow-up ultrasound was 2.9%, with 0% detected exclusively on MRI and 0.9% on postnatal imaging.

ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY (2021)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Pregnancy and viral infections: Mechanisms of fetal damage, diagnosis and prevention of neonatal adverse outcomes from cytomegalovirus to SARS-CoV-2 and Zika virus

Cinzia Auriti et al.

Summary: Viral infections during pregnancy can present risks to the fetus or newborn, with asymptomatic infants potentially experiencing worse outcomes at birth and potential long-term neurosensory issues. Maternal immune system adaptations during pregnancy play a crucial role in maintaining a balance between maternal immunity and fetal health, with viral infections disrupting this balance and leading to adverse outcomes for the fetus and newborn.

BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE (2021)

Article Clinical Neurology

Complications and Sequelae in Patients With Congenital Microcephaly Associated With Zika Virus Infection: Two-Year Follow-Up

Luane A. Gouvea et al.

Summary: Children with microcephaly due to Zika virus experienced various complications during follow-up, including epilepsy, spastic diplegia, and global developmental delay.

JOURNAL OF CHILD NEUROLOGY (2021)

Review Obstetrics & Gynecology

Zika virus infection in pregnant women and their children: A review

Elena Marban-Castro et al.

Summary: Zika virus can be transmitted to humans through various means, with pregnancy infections potentially causing fetal and child defects, emphasizing the importance of prenatal screening and monitoring.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY (2021)

Review Obstetrics & Gynecology

Economic assessments of the burden of congenital cytomegalovirus infection and the cost-effectiveness of prevention strategies

Scott D. Grosse et al.

Summary: The review of economic analyses on congenital cytomegalovirus infection highlighted an overestimation of certain adverse long-term outcomes and a lack of inclusion of other long-term costs. Limited conceptual frameworks, unrepresentative data sources, and unsupported assumptions hinder policymakers' ability to draw conclusions. Further research on long-term outcomes and costs for representative cohorts is needed to address these limitations.

SEMINARS IN PERINATOLOGY (2021)

Article Infectious Diseases

Adverse fetal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies with confirmed Zika Virus infection in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A cohort study

Juliana P. Souza et al.

Summary: The study revealed that Zika virus infection in early pregnancy led to more severe adverse outcomes in offspring, while infections in later pregnancy were more likely to result in asymptomatic newborns. Follow-up studies in this population are important to monitor long-term effects.

PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES (2021)

Review Biology

Toxoplasmosis: stages of the protozoan life cycle and risk assessment in humans and animals for an enhanced awareness and an improved socio-economic status

Esam S. Al-Malki

Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed protozoan parasite that mainly spreads through consuming contaminated food, close contact with cats and dogs, and vulnerable groups include immunosuppressed individuals and pregnant women. The eradication of toxoplasmosis could be achieved by improving people's socio-economic level.

SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (2021)

Article Immunology

The Effect of COVID-19 Infection During Pregnancy; Evaluating Neonatal Outcomes and the Impact of the B.1.1.7. Variant

Claire A. Murphy et al.

Summary: Research shows that there is no increase in preterm birth or neonatal intensive care unit admission after COVID-19 infection during pregnancy. Maternal symptom status does not influence neonatal outcomes. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 in early pregnancy and the emerging Delta variant.

PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL (2021)

Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

The impact of COVID-19 infection on the cytokine profile of pregnant women: A prospective case-control study

Atakan Tanacan et al.

Summary: The study found that COVID-19 infection affects the cytokine profile of pregnant women, varying according to pregnancy trimesters, and cytokine levels appear to be correlated with disease severity.

CYTOKINE (2021)

Review Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Placental Immune Responses to Viruses: Molecular and Histo-Pathologic Perspectives

Kavita Narang et al.

Summary: Congenital and perinatal infections pose significant risks to pregnant women, potentially leading to fetal infection and long-term developmental consequences. Some pathogens can directly infect the fetus by crossing the placenta, while others induce maternal or placental inflammation that indirectly harms the fetus. The placenta is a temporary but critical organ that plays vital roles in facilitating fetal nutrition, oxygenation, and protection against in utero infection.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES (2021)

Article Obstetrics & Gynecology

Ebola, Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika Infections in Neonates and Infants

Annabelle de St Maurice et al.

CLINICS IN PERINATOLOGY (2021)

Article Obstetrics & Gynecology

Syphilis in Neonates and Infants

Alexandra K. Medoro et al.

CLINICS IN PERINATOLOGY (2021)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Heterogeneous development of children with Congenital Zika Syndrome-associated microcephaly

Juan P. Aguilar Ticona et al.

Summary: Children with CZS-associated microcephaly exhibit severe neurodevelopmental delays and slower growth rates compared to their peers. However, their neurodevelopmental profiles vary significantly based on neurological exam scores.

PLOS ONE (2021)

Article Virology

Neurodevelopment in Children Exposed to Zika Virus: What Are the Consequences for Children Who Do Not Present with Microcephaly at Birth?

Paula Fabiana Sobral da Silva et al.

Summary: This study suggests that children exposed to Zika virus without microcephaly do not show significantly increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairment compared to unexposed peers, although a small group may exhibit cognitive delays. Moreover, abnormal neuroclinical examination results in exposed children may predict developmental delays.

VIRUSES-BASEL (2021)

Review Medicine, General & Internal

Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection Burden and Epidemiologic Risk Factors in Countries With Universal Screening A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Paddy Ssentongo et al.

Summary: This study highlights that low- and middle-income countries bear the greatest burden of congenital cytomegalovirus infection, urging global efforts to address the issue in regions with high prevalence. Screening methods using blood samples showed lower infection rates compared to urine or saliva samples.

JAMA NETWORK OPEN (2021)

Article Infectious Diseases

Pregnancy, Birth, Infant, and Early Childhood Neurodevelopmental Outcomes among a Cohort of Women with Symptoms of Zika Virus Disease during Pregnancy in Three Surveillance Sites, Project Vigilancia de Embarazadas con Zika (VEZ), Colombia, 2016-2018

Marcela Mercado-Reyes et al.

Summary: The Vigilancia de Embarazadas con Zika (VEZ) project in Colombia aimed to evaluate adverse outcomes in pregnancies with Zika virus symptoms. Results showed a higher proportion of Zika-associated brain or eye defects in pregnancies with laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection.

TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE (2021)

Article Infectious Diseases

Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection Following Second and Third Trimester Maternal Infection Is Associated With Mild Childhood Adverse Outcome Not Predicted by Prenatal Imaging

Tal Elkan Miller et al.

Summary: This study investigated the impact of second and third trimester congenital cytomegalovirus infection on fetal and childhood development, finding that second trimester infection may lead to mild childhood sequelae, mainly partial unilateral hearing loss, and prenatal imaging failed to predict the development of childhood adverse outcomes.

JOURNAL OF THE PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES SOCIETY (2021)

Letter Clinical Neurology

Socioemotional Status of Children With Uterine Exposure to the Zika Virus

Adriana Virginia Barros Faical et al.

PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY (2020)

Article Developmental Biology

Brain abnormalities on neuroimaging in Children with Congenital Zika Syndrome in Salvador, Brazil, and its possible implications on neuropsychological development

Paula Sanders Pereira Pinto et al.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE (2020)

Article Immunology

The Status of Vaccine Development Against the Human Cytomegalovirus

Stanley A. Plotkin et al.

JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2020)

Review Medicine, General & Internal

The Modern Epidemic of Syphilis

Khalil G. Ghanem et al.

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE (2020)

Article Obstetrics & Gynecology

Key Infections in the Placenta

Maria Laura Costa et al.

OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA (2020)

Article Genetics & Heredity

The MRI spectrum of congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Mariana C. Diogo et al.

PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS (2020)

Article Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Functional Outcomes among a Cohort of Children in Northeastern Brazil Meeting Criteria for Follow-Up of Congenital Zika Virus Infection

Jeanne Bertolli et al.

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE (2020)

Review Genetics & Heredity

Congenital syphilis: A contemporary update on an ancient disease

Martha W. F. Rac et al.

PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS (2020)

Review Genetics & Heredity

Lights and Shadows of TORCH Infection Proteomics

Janaina Macedo-da-Silva et al.

GENES (2020)

Review Virology

Maternal type of CMV infection and sequelae in infants with congenital CMV: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Panagiota-Georgia Maltezou et al.

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY (2020)

Article Pediatrics

Neurological outcomes of congenital Zika syndrome in toddlers and preschoolers: a case series

Heloisa Viscaino Fernandes Souza Pereira et al.

LANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH (2020)

Article Medicine, General & Internal

Association Between Antenatal Exposure to Zika Virus and Anatomical and Neurodevelopmental Abnormalities in Children

Jessica S. Cranston et al.

JAMA NETWORK OPEN (2020)

Review Clinical Neurology

The neurodevelopmental spectrum of congenital Zika infection: a scoping review

Alessandra Carvalho et al.

DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE AND CHILD NEUROLOGY (2020)

Review Genetics & Heredity

Identification and management of congenital parvovirusB19infection

Lucy O. Attwood et al.

PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS (2020)

Article Obstetrics & Gynecology

Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy

Maimoona Ahmed et al.

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY (2020)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Congenital Zika syndrome: A systematic review

Danielle A. Freitas et al.

PLOS ONE (2020)

Article Immunology

Early Childhood Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Infants Exposed to Infectious Syphilis In Utero

Valsan P. Verghese et al.

PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL (2018)

Review Behavioral Sciences

Increasing Role of Maternal Immune Activation in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Julie Boulanger-Bertolus et al.

FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE (2018)