Q&A: Zika virus in mothers linked with microcephaly in babies in Brazil

You may have heard the news: Brazil is facing a startling outbreak of microcephaly, a rare condition in which an infant is born with a head much smaller than it should be. Microcephaly almost always causes significant brain damage and can be life threatening. The epidemic has been linked to a simultaneous influx of the mosquito-borne virus Zika. Thriving spoke with Dr. Ganeshwaran Mochida, a pediatric neurologist at Boston Children’s Hospital who specializes in microcephaly, and Dr. Asim Ahmed, an infectious disease researcher at Boston Children’s who specializes in mosquito-borne illnesses, to find out more about the situation and what you can do to keep your family safe. What is microcephaly? Mochida: Microcephaly is not a single disease.  It actually refers to a condition in which the brain (head) size is too small for age and gender. There are diverse causes for microcephaly.  Some are genetic, and some are non-genetic, such as intrauterine infections.  For example, the common infection cytomegalovirus (CMV) merely manifests in adults as flu-like symptoms which dissipate quickly.  However, if a pregnant mother contracts CMV, it can be transmitted to her fetus through the placenta and affect her unborn child’s brain cells.  The virus could then damage the brain, preventing it from growing at a normal rate. What problems are associated with microcephaly? Mochida: The type and severity of problems related to microcephaly depend on the cause.  Common problems a...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Ask the Expert Diseases & Conditions Health Headlines In the News dr. asim ahmed dr. ganesh mochida http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/cytomegalovirus/overview infectious diseases microcephaly mosquitoe Source Type: news