Zika Virus Update: Brazilian Infants With Microcephaly Could Develop Eye Defects

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Microcephalic babies in Brazil are exhibiting new symptoms of the disease. The Zika virus infection could be linked to eye defects, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Ophthalmology.

Brazilian researchers have found that infants who have developed microcephaly due to Zika are also showing signs of abnormal ocular activities that include atrophied retina, unusual iris pigmentation and out of place lens movement. The study is the first to discover the abnormalities in the babies, ABC News reported.

Over 29 babies with microcephaly were examined for the study and 23 of the moms were confirmed to have had symptoms of Zika infection while pregnant. Of these babies, 10 of the infants developed eye problems like retina damage, mottled pigmentation and tissue degeneration or atrophy, and it could potentially affect the babies' vision as they get older. Of the 10 babies determined, seven had the defect in both eyes.

"We're very concerned about this," said ophthalmology professor Lee Jampol via USA Today. "There hasn't been enough testing yet to know what these babies' vision is going to be," he added. "As more babies are examined, we'll have a better idea of the range of damage that occur to the retina."

Researchers are not discounting the possibility that the eye defects developed because of other causes like genetics, malnutrition or drug-related problems. The association to Zika is only "temporary" given the range and depth of the virus outbreak. The Washington Post reported that about 4,180 microcephaly cases have been reported in Brazil since October.

"This association is still presumptive because definitive serologic testing for Zika virus was not available in Brazil at the time of the outbreak, and confusion may occur with other causes of microcephaly," the researchers wrote in their study.

However, researchers are hoping that their latest findings will help "guide clinical management and practice, as we observed that a high proportion of the infants with microcephaly had ophthalmologic lesions," per Medical Express. In addition to other tests to determine Zika infection, it is suggested that babies should also go through a routine eye evaluation with their doctors.

Meanwhile, there is still no vaccine or treatment to treat Zika virus. However, CDC recommendations for managing the symptoms include getting plenty of bed rest, drinking fluids to prevent dehydration and taking acetaminophen to combat the fever.

CNN cited that pregnant women who have been to known Zika-infected areas, or those planning to have babies but suspect they may have been exposed to the virus, should get tested immediately.