Assessing the hearing of children exposed to zika virus with an initially normal newborn hearing screen: a longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection can result in hearing loss in babies, consequently, audiological monitoring is necessary. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of hearing impairment in neonates and children exposed to ZIKV during the intrauterine period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 30 children born to mothers infected with ZIKV during pregnancy (March 2016-January 2017) underwent repeated hearing assessments performed 48 h after birth. Universal Newborn Hearing Screening revealed normal results in all children at 6, 13, 24, and 36 months. Children were divided into two subgroups based on real-time polymerase chain reaction: RT-PCR(+) and RT-PCR(-). RESULTS: At 24 months, the cumulative incidence of hearing alteration was 57.1%. There was no significant difference in the detection of hearing alteration between RT-PCR(+) and (-) groups. None of the children had sensorineural hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: None of the children had sensorineural hearing loss. Total incidence conductive type (per 1000 live births), RT-PCR ZIKV (-) 2.2, prevalence 20% and RT-PCR ZIKV 3.1, prevalence 35.7%.The incidence of hearing alteration was highest at 24 months of age (57.1%, n = 8; only conductive type).

Mild and Asymptomatic Coronavirus Disease in Children, Adolescents, and Household Contacts and Prolonged Viral Excretion.

Method: This was a prospective, observational, and descriptive cohort study. Nasopharyngeal swabs and blood were collected six times at weekly intervals. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) tests and immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA assays were used to test for COVID-19. Results: Overall, 419 children and 253 adults were enrolled. There was a significant correlation between qRT-PCR confirmation and the 1 to <5 years age group (p=0.038). Serology changes or recent infections were detected significantly in children <6 months (IgG, p=0.006; IgA, p=0.001) and >5 years of age (IgA, p=0.040; IgG, p=0.031). The mean and median time-to-positivity (using qRT-PCR) was 17 days, with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 34. Among adults, the mean and median time-to-positivity was 12.6 and 9 days, respectively, with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 45. Conclusion: Oligosymptomatic conditions may delay diagnosis and facilitate viral transmission. Pediatric-focused research is required, and specific protective measures for children <6 months of age should be considered.

Neonatal consequences of maternal exposure to the chikungunya virus: Case reports.

RATIONALE: The chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was first isolated in a Tanzanian epidemic area between 1952 and 1953. The best description of the CHIKV transmission during pregnancy can be found in a well-documented epidemic in 2005, in the "La Reunion" island, a French territory located in the Indian Ocean, in which about one-third of the population was infected. Reports of arbovirus infections in pregnancy are increasing over time, but the spectrum of clinical findings remains an incognita among researchers, including CHIKV. PATIENT CONCERNS: In this report, it was possible to verify 2 cases exposed to CHIKV during foetal period and the possible implications of the infection on gestational structures and exposed children after the birth. DIAGNOSIS: In both cases, the mothers were positive by laboratory tests in serologic analysis for CHIKV, as ezyme-linked immunossorbent assay (ELISA), plaque reduction neutralisation testing (PRNT) and immunofluorescence (IF); but there were no positive tests in quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for mothers or children. INTERVENTIONS: The exposed children were followed up in a paediatrics clinic in order not only to provide the medical assistance, but also to verify child development and the possible implications and neurocognitive changes caused by gestational infection. OUTCOMES: There were neurological and developmental changes in one of the children followed up on an outpatient basis. There was an improvement in the neurological situation and symptoms only 3 years and 1 month after birth. LESSONS: Based on the cases presented, we can conclude that clinical symptoms of CHIKV maternal infection may occur late in new-borns and can affect their development.