CONGENITAL ZIKA VIRUS SYNDROME-RELATED ANOMALIES DETECTED OVER THE SEVEN-YEAR HISTORY OF THE EPIDEMIC: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Background: In 2015, an alarming increase in microcephaly was recorded in Brazil, being associated to Zika virus (ZV) epidemic. The teratogenic effects of ZV, however, are not restricted to microcephaly only. Aim: To describe the body structures affected by the teratogenic potential of Zika virus congenital syndrome (ZVCS), in order to provide an overview of the anomalies detected and make this knowledge available to health professionals and to the scientific community. Methods: A narrative review was carried out between June 2020 and January 2022 in Portal de Periódicos CAPES, MEDLINE, Scopus, LILACS and SciELO databases. Scientific publications that addressed fetal organic structures that were affected by the teratogenic effects of ZVCS were included. Results: Thirty-two studies were included in this review and identified anomalies in cranium, orofacial structures, nervous system, joints, visual pathway and thoracic viscera. Conclusion: The teratogenic effects of ZVCS affect a broad spectrum of body structures. The children affected by ZVCS still require multidisciplinary health approach, so the present study is a helpful source of information for such professionals.