West Nile Virus Poses Little Pregnancy Risk

A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that women infected with the West Nile virus during pregnancy are unlikely to experience complications with their pregnancy, although the risk of birth defects cannot be completely ruled out. For the study, researchers examined data collected in a multistate registry. Of the 72 infants born to mothers infected with West Nile during pregnancy, only three experienced problems that could possibly be linked to viral exposure prior to birth. Although the mothers of the three babies did develop fever during infection, they all had mild cases of West Nile. Two of the affected children experienced an abnormally small head while the third child was born with an extra toe. Although one of the babies born with a small head appeared to outgrow the condition by age 1, the other child was born with severe birth defects and died a few days after birth. Furthermore, none of the babies appeared to develop the infection from their mother, although investigators pointed out that current testing methods may not be adequate at detecting the virus at birth. Researchers also said that they could not say with 100% confidence that the noted birth defects were a direct result of West Nile virus and encourage additional testing. While the risk of contracting the virus is fairly low, pregnant women are advised to take precautions during the mosquito season, including staying inside at peak mosquito activity times and wearing repellent.

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