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West Nile virus (WNV) can cause serious illness. It is
transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. This study looked
at birth outcomes among women infected with West Nile virus during
pregnancy.
Researchers collected data on 77 women in the United States who were
infected with WNV during pregnancy in 2003 and 2004. They gathered
information about pregnancy outcomes and checked the health of the
infants at delivery through 12 months of age.
Important findings from this study include:
- Four women miscarried, 2 had elective abortions, and 71
women delivered 72 liveborn infants.
- Three infants had WNV that could have been acquired before
birth, but none had laboratory evidence that confirmed prenatal
infection.
- Seven infants had major birth defects, but only three had
defects that could have been caused by the mother’s WNV
infection. The other four had defects that would have occurred
at a time in development before the mother’s infection. None of
the defects had a definite link with WNV.
- Most infants had normal growth. In cases of abnormal growth,
the role of WNV, if any, was not clear.
- Nearly all of the infants had normal development, as
reported by health care providers in routine examinations. It is
possible that standardized tests might show subtle developmental
delays that are not seen in routine examinations.
- CDC and state health departments continue to gather data on
pregnancy outcomes among women with WNV infection. Clinicians
are asked to report known or possible cases to their state
health department.
O'Leary DR, Hinckley AF, Rasmussen SA, Pape WJ, Kightlinger LK,
Beecham BD, et al. Birth outcomes following West Nile Virus
infection of pregnant women in the United States: 2003–2004.
Pediatrics. 2006;117:e537–45.
Date:
January 14, 2008
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities
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