Maternal-fetal transmission and adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnant women infected with Zika virus: prospective cohort study in French Guiana

Abstract Objectives To estimate the rates of maternal-fetal transmission of Zika virus, adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes, and subsequent rates of asymptomatic/symptomatic congenital Zika virusinfections up to the first week of life. Design Cohort study with prospective data collection and subsequent review of fetal/neonatal outcomes. Settings Referral centre for prenatal diagnosis of the French Guiana Western Hospital. Participants Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy with a laboratory confirmed symptomatic or asymptomatic Zika virusinfection during the epidemic period in western French Guiana. The cohort enrolled 300 participants and prospectively followed their 305 fetuses/newborns. Main outcome measures Rate of maternal-fetal transmission of Zika virus(amniotic fluid, fetal and neonatal blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and placentas); clinical, biological, and radiological outcomes (blindly reviewed); and adverse outcomes defined as moderate signs potentially related to congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), severe complications compatible with CZS, or fetal loss. Associations between a laboratory confirmed congenital Zika virusinfection and adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes were evaluated. Results Maternal-fetal transmission was documented in 26% (76/291) of fetuses/newborns with complete data. Among the Zika viruspositive fetuses/newborns, 45% (34/76) presented with no signs/complications at birth, 20% (15/76) with moderate signs potentially related to CZS, 21% (16/76) with severe complications compatible with CZS, and 14% (11/76) with fetal loss. Compared with the Zika viruspositive fetuses/neonates, those that were identified as negative for Zika virus(215/291) were less likely to present with severe complications (5%; 10/215) or fetal loss (0.5%; 1/215; relative risk 6.9, 95% confidence interval 3.6 to 13.3). Association between a positive Zika virustest and any adverse fetal/neonatal outcome was also significant (relative risk 4.4, 2.9 to 6.6). The population attributable fraction estimates that a confirmed congenital Zika virusinfection contributes to 47% of adverse outcomes and 61% of severe adverse outcomes observed. Conclusion In cases of a known maternal Zika virusinfection, approximately a quarter of fetuses will become congenitally infected, of which a third will have severe complications at birth or fetal loss. The burden of CZS might be lower than initially described in South America and may not differ from other congenital infections.