Cohort study: Neurological and cognitive-behavioral sequelae of acquired Zika virus infection among Nicaraguan children

• Published in: Pediatric research 2024-07
• Main Authors: Lebov, Jill F, LaForett, Doré R, Gajewski, Anna, Browne, Erica N, Zambrana, José Victor, Balmaseda, Angel, Harris, Eva, Hooper, Stephen R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0031-3998; 1530-0447; 1530-0447
• DOI: 10.1038/s41390-024-03160-0

ZIKV has neuroinvasive properties, and in utero exposure can cause birth defects, but little is known about the neurological and neurocognitive impacts of acquired ZIKV infection, particularly in children. We assessed neurological symptoms frequency among ZIKV-infected children within one year after ZIKV infection. Three to 5 years post-infection, these children and a matched group of uninfected children were assessed via questionnaires, neurological exams, and neuropsychological testing to evaluate the association between prior ZIKV infection and subsequent neurological symptoms, and cognitive-behavioral function. Among 194 ZIKV-infected children, 3 reported asthenia, 4 reported neck pain, and 10 reported back pain within one year post-infection. At follow-up, clinician-observed cranial nerve abnormalities were significantly more common among ZIKV-infected vs. uninfected children (16 vs. 3; p