Zika Virus Affects Fetal Eye Development During Pregnancy but Not After Birth
by Iswarya on
December 21, 2020 at 12:33 PM
Zika infection during the first trimester of pregnancy can affect fetal retinal development and cause congenital ocular anomalies; however, the virus does not appear to affect ocular growth postnatally, according to a new study. The findings of the study are published in the journal
JCI Insight.
While the SARS-CoV-2 virus has dominated the news this past year, researchers continue to study the health effects of the Zika virus, which has been reported in 86 countries globally.
The Zika virus is primarily transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus. However, it can also be passed through sexual contact, blood transfusions, organ transplants, and between mother and baby during pregnancy. The virus has been documented to cause a range of birth defects, including microcephaly and various neurological, musculoskeletal, and eye abnormalities.