Children Born With Congenital Zika Syndrome Display Atypical Gross Motor Development and a Higher Risk for Cerebral Palsy.

IMPORTANCE

Congenital Zika syndrome virus infection is said to interfere in children's development.

OBJECTIVE

evaluate gross motor trajectories and the frequency of cerebral palsy in children with congenital Zika syndrome.

DESIGN

Cohort study applying the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the Bayley III Scales in infants from 6 to 18 months of age.

SETTING

The SARAH network, Rio de Janeiro.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-nine infants whose diagnoses were established through clinical history, serology tests, and neuroimaging findings. Main outcomes and measures: Congenital Zika syndrome is associated with severe motor delays and is a risk factor to the diagnosis of cerebral palsy.

RESULTS

The Alberta Infant Motor Scale mean raw score at 6 months was 9.74 (SD 4.80) or equivalent to 2 to 3 months of motor developmental age. At the age of 12 months, 14.13 (SD 11.90), corresponding to 3 to 4 months of motor development age; the Bayley III Scales results correlated to the Alberta Infant Motor Scale ( P < .001) at this age. At 18 months, 15.77 (SD 13.80) or a motor development equivalent to 4 to 5 months of age. Thirty-five of 39 children (89.7%) met criteria for the diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Conclusions and relevance: Gross motor development marginally progresses from 6 to 18 months of age. These individuals also displayed a high frequency of cerebral palsy.