Neurological Development, Epilepsy, and the Pharmacotherapy Approach in Children with Congenital Zika Syndrome: Results from a Two-Year Follow-up Study

Viruses. 2020 Sep 25;12(10):1083. doi: 10.3390/v12101083.

Abstract

Clinical outcomes related to congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) include microcephaly accompanied by specific brain injuries. Among several CZS outcomes that have been described, epilepsy and motor impairments are present in most cases. Pharmacological treatment for seizures resulting from epilepsy is performed with anticonvulsant drugs, which in the long term are related to impairments in the child's neuropsychomotor development. Here, we describe the results from a two-year follow-up of a cohort of children diagnosed with CZS related to the growth of the head circumference and some neurological and motor outcomes, including the pharmacological approach, and its results in the treatment of epileptic seizures. This paper is part of a prospective cohort study carried out in the state of Mato Grosso Sul, Brazil, based on a Zika virus (ZIKV)-exposed child population. Our data were focused on the assessment of head circumference growth and some neurological and motor findings, including the description of seizure conditions and pharmacological management in two periods. Among the 11 children evaluated, 8 had severe microcephaly associated with motor impairment and/or epilepsy. Seven children were diagnosed with epilepsy. Of these, 3 had West syndrome. In four children with other forms of epilepsy, there was no pharmacological control.

Keywords: West syndrome; Zika virus; congenital Zika syndrome; epilepsy; motor impairment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Brazil
  • Child, Preschool
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Epilepsy / virology
  • Female
  • Head / anatomy & histology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Microcephaly / pathology
  • Microcephaly / virology*
  • Muscle Hypertonia / virology
  • Nervous System Malformations / virology
  • Paresis / virology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reflex, Abnormal / physiology
  • Spasms, Infantile / drug therapy*
  • Spasms, Infantile / virology
  • Zika Virus / pathogenicity
  • Zika Virus Infection / pathology*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants