After the explosion of the Zika virus in some Latin American countries and declared the global health emergency by the WHO, we have been following the cases in Spain. To date, 105 cases have been registered in our country, and the first case of Zika microcephaly in an unborn baby.
The mother had traveled to areas of Latin America a few months ago and became infected with the Zika virus and dengue. When performing the ultrasound of the 20 weeks they detected the microcephaly (small head) in the fetus. Despite this, the woman decided to continue with the pregnancy.
What is microcephaly?
Microcephaly is a very rare condition characterized by a significantly smaller head size than that of other children of the same age and sex.
It is usually the result of abnormal brain development in the uterus or that is not growing as it should after birth. The growth of the skull is determined by the growth of the brain, which takes place while the baby is in the womb and during breastfeeding.
Depending on the cause and severity of the microcephaly, complications may include developmental delays, neurological disorders, difficulties with coordination and balance, dwarfism, facial distortions, hyperactivity, mental retardation or seizures.
First case of microcephaly linked to Zika in Spain
This case of microcephaly linked to Zika is the first recorded in Spain and the second in Europe. The other has been detected in a Slovenian woman who decided to abort when she met the problems of the fetus.
None of the Zika cases detected are indigenous, that is, the infection has not occurred in Spain, but they are "imported" cases of pregnant women who were infected in some Latin American country, but all pregnant women are asked to maximize precautions if they are going to travel to countries where the virus is present.
Not all pregnant women affected by Zika have babies with microcephaly, but the risk exists and therefore the development of the fetus must be controlled.
The most affected country is Brazil, where almost 1,200 cases of microcephaly associated with the Zika virus have been recorded in Brazil, three in Cape Verde, seven in Colombia, eight in French Polynesia, three in Martinique, four in Panama, one in Slovenia and Two in the United States.
Via | The world
In Babies and more | The first baby of a pregnant woman with Zika is born in Spain, what is the Zika virus and what dangers does it pose for pregnant women?
