The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just published guidelines to support clinicians in diagnosing, evaluating, and managing infants with possible congenital Zika virus. The revised guidance updates recommendations for the diagnosis, evaluation, and follow-up of infants in three main groups:
- infants with birth defects consistent with congenital Zika syndrome born to mothers with possible Zika virus exposure during pregnancy;
- infants without birth defects consistent with congenital Zika syndrome born to mothers with laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy; and
- infants without birth defects consistent with congenital Zika syndrome born to mothers without laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection during pregnancy.
The guidance also emphasizes the importance of pediatric health care providers communicating closely with maternal health providers and how critical it is that families and caregivers have access to psychosocial support and assistance with coordination of care. In addition, CDC released accompanying accompanying tools and guides so patients and doctors are equipped to implement this new information.