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First Zika-affected baby born with microcephaly in mainland US

A baby girl born to a mother infected with Zika virus was delivered prematurely with microcephaly and other Zika-associated birth defects at a hospital in New Jersey, according to hospital officials.

Officials at Hackensack University Medical Center reported that the infant, delivered on May 31, is the first child born with Zika-related microcephaly in the United States mainland.

“We had a very high suspicion that the patient had a Zika-infected fetus,” Abdulla M. Al-Khan, MD, director of maternal and fetal medicine at Hackensack University Medical Center, said during a press conference today. “Our decision yesterday was to deliver. She underwent an uncomplicated surgery, and she is trying her best to cope with this emotionally. That is where we stand right now with the patient.”

Abdulla M. Al-Khan

Hospital officials stated that the mother, a native of Honduras, presented to the medical center on May 27. She contracted Zika virus in Honduras and after medical experts suspected Zika-related birth difficulties, she traveled to the United States seeking better medical care. During the press conference, Al-Khan stated that samples from the mother were sent to the CDC for testing before she arrived in the U.S. After imaging revealed an urgent medical need for delivery, the child was delivered via cesarean delivery.

“I’d like to emphasize that neither the mother nor the baby acquired this infection in the United States,” Julia A. Piwoz, MD, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Hackensack University Medical Center, said during the conference. “I’d like to also emphasize that neither the mother nor the baby poses an infectious risk to others.”

Julia A. Piwoz

The child was delivered at an estimated 35 weeks’ gestational age and has been diagnosed with microcephaly and structural abnormalities of the eye, both caused by Zika virus infection, hospital officials said. They also stated that the child is currently being evaluated for how these conditions will affect neonatal abilities, such as sucking, swallowing and eating. Piwoz said it is currently too early for a prognosis on the child’s survivability and life expectancy.

“The lesson learned today is how crucial it is for us as physicians, a community, a medical organization and at the state and federal level to do every single thing possible to bring a halt to this epidemic, especially it reaching the United States,” Al-Khan said. “Because to me, it is highly catastrophic for a young, healthy patient who is seeking to get pregnant or is pregnant to encounter this. This is a time for us to unite and do every single thing possible to combat this condition.” -by David Costill