Six Zika-infected Women Had Babies With Birth Defect So Far, CDC Reports

Three pregnant women in the mainland United States with Zika-infected fetuses have given birth to babies with a birth defect, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). In addition, three other pregnant women have lost their babies or terminated the pregnancy because of the damage done by the virus to the brain of the fetuses.

According to the agency, the details of the women who gave birth to babies with a birth defect called microcephaly have not been revealed to maintain their privacy. The announcement, which took place on June 16, Thursday, is the first time that the agency has come forward to publicly reveal the number of Zika-related birth since the beginning of the US response.

Babies who get exposed to the Zika virus during the stages of fetal development can suffer from a rare birth defect called microcephaly. Among several other forms of fetal abnormalities, the condition is characterized by abnormally small heads because of underdeveloped brains.

Such babies also tend to have calcium deposits in the brain that may end up damaging the organ. In addition, they have missing or poorly developed brain structure, excess fluid in the brain cavity and other surrounding areas and abnormal development of the eyes.

The damage to the brain in such babies may affect the functioning of other organs and the organ systems, including nerves, bones and muscles. They may also have inflexible joints or clubfoot. The symptoms of the condition remain the same for all Zika-infected babies born across different Zika-infected regions around the world.

The CDC is currently monitoring the progress of all 234 pregnant women in the United States who are infected with the Zika virus. All of the women contracted the virus through a Zika-infected partner or when they were traveling abroad. In addition, a group of another 189 pregnant women is being monitored in Puerto Rico and other US territories.