Long-term consequences of Zika virus infections during pregnancy for school-aged children and their families in Brazil

Grantholders

  • Dr Elizabeth Brickley

    London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom

  • Prof Celina Martelli

    Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil

  • Prof Ricardo Ximenes

    Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil

  • Prof Mauricio Barreto

    Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil

  • Prof Hannah Kuper

    London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom

  • Prof Sophie Eickmann

    Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil

  • Dr Maria Moreira

    Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil

  • Dr Sandra Valongueiro-Alves

    Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil

  • Prof Demócrito Miranda-Filho

    Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil

Project summary

Zika virus infections during pregnancy can be transmitted across the placenta, disrupting fetal development and leading to structural anomalies and neurologic impairments collectively recognized as Congenital Zika Syndrome. While Zika virus transmission has waned globally, the devastating health and social consequences of the 2015-2017 pandemic endure for children with Congenital Zika Syndrome and their families. In this collaborative project based in Brazil, we will follow-up school-aged children with and without prenatal exposure to Zika virus and use epidemiological, large-scale data linkage, and social science methods to answer critical questions about the children's health and learning needs and to improve understanding of the long-term impacts for affected children's families. This project will provide a singular opportunity to define the clinical spectrum of Congenital Zika Syndrome in later childhood and to inform clinical decision-making and public policies (e.g., prenatal screening, educational adaptations, and social protection) related to Zika virus infections during pregnancy.