New Images Show Exactly How Zika Virus Devastates A Fetus' Brain

New research that documents the devastating effects of Zika virus in early pregnancy shows just how destructive the disease can be to a growing fetus. The new study, which was published in the journal Radiology, contains the largest collection to date of brain scans in fetuses and newborns with Zika virus. It details the different kinds of brain abnormalities that can occur in a developing fetus, causing the birth defect microcephaly.  The scans emphasize the importance of regular imaging over the course of a pregnancy, as a fetus that appears normal during early gestation may have signs of the infection during a later scan. The images also show that just because an infant may be born with a normal-sized head, rather than the abnormally small head typical of microcephaly, it doesn’t mean their brain has escaped damage from the infection. Most doctors will likely never see, let alone treat, a pregnant woman with Zika. But as the number of pregnant women with Zika virus continues to rise in the U.S. and its territories, and as the virus continues to spread in Florida, these images are an invaluable window into the slow-motion destruction that happens inside a fetus’ brain and will affect the child for the rest of his or her life. Microcephaly is caused by several distinct brain abnormalities  The study was conducted by Dr. Fernanda Tovar-Moll, vice president of the D’Or Institute for Research and Education and professor at Brazil’s Federal...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news