Microcephaly Linked To Zika Virus, Study Confirms Again

In one of the latest studies the link between Zika virus and microcephaly is further strengthened.

Commissioned by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the preliminary results point Zika is main culprit behind the babies born with smaller head in the country.

A total of 32 newborns with microcephaly was studied and thirteen cases were tested positive for the Zika virus. Also, another 62 newborns with normal head-size showed no sign of infection.

Details of the study are published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal.

The babies who were studied were recruited from 8 hospitals from the Recife region, which was hard hit by the Zika virus epidemic in Brazil.

Apart from measuring the size of the head the researchers also collected samples of unbilical cord blood, corebrospinal fluid as well as peripheral blood in some cases. CT scans of the heads were also done. Mothers were also given questionnaire to answer and blood samples of their were also taken.

The researchers found mothers in the microcephaly group had increased rate of the virus infection compared to the group with normal size head. The ratio was 80 percent versus 64 percent.

It is yet to be discovered at what stage of pregnancy the mothers were infected with Zika.

Meanwhile, it is also learned the microcephaly group babies had several health problems including low birthweight for their gestagtional age. One of the babies was stillborn too. Three more babies in the group died after delivery in the ICU unit of a hospital.