Zika and pregnacy: what is already known

Abstract

The global epidemic of Zika virus infection has emerged as a major public health problem affecting the general population, with the greatest impact on the pregnant woman and fetus. There is evidence that the Zika virus causes microcephaly and other congenital malformations, leading to devastating consequences for the affected newborn, his or her family, and society in general. The objective of this review is to present a summary of the latest scientific research on the Zika virus: its structure, life cycle, mode of transmission and pathogenesis and to determine the relationship between infection during pregnancy, the way in which the virus crosses the placenta to cause damage to the brain tissue of the fetus, intrauterine growth restriction and the entire syndrome of associated congenital malformations.