Patient characteristics and pregnancy outcomes among Zika-infected pregnant women: Epidemiologic surveillance data from two cities in Colombia, 2015-2016

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of pregnant women infected with Zika virus in two representative regions of Colombia, examine their pregnancy outcomes, and outline findings of the epidemiologic surveillance program established during the peak of the 2015-2016 epidemic.

Methods: A cohort study conducted in the municipalities of Cali and Villavicencio using data from the National Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA) and clinical follow-up data from pregnant women. We describe sociodemographic characteristics, health insurance status, Zika virus, pregnancy-related characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes.

Results: A total of 1259 Zika-infected pregnant women were identified in Cali; of these, 2.3% (n=27) experienced pregnancy loss, 9.5% (n=113) had preterm birth, and 7.9% (n=91) had a low birthweight neonate. In Villavicencio, 3.0% (n=13) experienced pregnancy loss, 6.9% (n=30) had preterm birth, and 6.7% (n=28) had a low birthweight neonate. Compared with the general population, this population of Zika-infected pregnant women did not experience an increased frequency of preterm birth or low birthweight (relative risk of prematurity and low birthweight infant <1).

Conclusions: Epidemiologic surveillance data showed that most neonates of Zika-infected pregnant women were born at term, and that the frequency of low birthweight neonates was low. Good quality data were obtained from the surveillance registries.

Keywords: Colombia; Epidemiologic surveillance; Low birthweight; Pregnancy outcomes; Preterm birth; Zika virus.