HealthDay News — An updated clinical guidance for health providers caring for infants born with possible congenital Zika has been released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Recommendations for the initial evaluation and testing of infants born to mothers with possible Zika infection are based on evidence that has become available since the previous guidance, issued in February. The updated guidance includes recommendations for management, referral to services, and follow-up of infants with laboratory evidence of congenital Zika virus infection.
The updated guidelines do not include dengue testing and recommend against testing cord blood specimens, but do provide information on interpretation of infant laboratory testing results. Even if the prenatal ultrasound was normal, the updated guidance recommends a cranial ultrasound. Additional recommendations are provided in the updated guidance for outpatient management of infants through the first year of life. The importance of establishing a medical home and providing support for families affected by Zika is emphasized. In addition, the guidance includes repeat eye and hearing assessments and a new recommendation for endocrine evaluation.
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“CDC recommends coordinated care through a multidisciplinary team and established medical home,” the authors write. “As a critical component of patient care and early identification of any delays, families should be empowered to be active participants in their child’s monitoring and care.”
Reference
CDC Updates Guidance for Care of Infants Born to Mothers with Possible Zika Virus Infection During Pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Updated August 19, 2016. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/s0819-zika-infants.html. Accessed August 23, 2016.
