Evaluating Impact of Congenital Zika Virus Infection on Reproductive Health and Neonatal Outcomes in Latin America

Congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS) represents a severe and multifaceted outcome of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy, with far-reaching implications for both maternal and neonatal health. ZIVK, transmitted through the Aedes aegypti mosquito vector, has been linked to a range of birth defects, most notably microcephaly. CZS also increases the risk of other complications such as stillbirth, miscarriage, neonatal death, and a spectrum of congenital malformations. Between 2015 and 2016, over 2,000 confirmed cases of microcephaly linked to ZIVK were reported in Brazil, underscoring the epidemic as a public health crisis, particularly in Latin America, where environmental and socio-economic factors exacerbate infection rates. A systematic literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, CDC and BMJ Journal, to assess the impacts of CZS on reproductive health and neonatal outcomes. Publications between 2015 and 2024 were screened and chosen based on the criteria. Articles highlighted that infants are likely to develop central nervous system abnormalities, which include calcification and ventriculomegaly. Findings also revealed significant barriers for effective CZS diagnosis, such as the incidence of asymptomatic infections, narrow detection windows, and scarce resources. For maternal health, key issues identified include lack of adequate education about the long-term effects of ZIVK, limited access to contraception and pregnancy prevention resources, and increased requests for abortion medication, driving changes in reproductive behavior. Recommendations to lower adverse outcomes include strengthening prenatal care, increased early detection through routine ultrasounds, and implementation of prevention efforts through health education.