Other viruses such as rubella and cytomegalovirus (CMV) that can
trigger microcephaly when contracted in the womb also lead to hearing loss in some cases.
However, the growing belief that Zika can also
trigger microcephaly in babies born to mothers infected while pregnant has spread international alarm.
Not exact matches
While the virus is often symptom - free and usually mild, it can also cause birth defects like
microcephaly in babies and
trigger immune diseases like Guillain - Barre syndrome in adults.
There are many mysteries about Zika and how, in particular, it behaves in pregnant women,
triggering some to miscarry and others to give birth to babies with brain disorders like
microcephaly.
Zika virus infection during pregnancy has been linked to congenital brain abnormalities, including
microcephaly, and Zika virus is a
trigger of Guillain - Barré syndrome.
The virus can cause a transitory illness but is most dangerous to pregnant women, since maternal infection can
trigger a serious birth defect called
microcephaly.
Based on a newly published systematic review of current research, WHO has reaffirmed its position that Zika virus infection during pregnancy is a cause of congenital brain abnormalities, including
microcephaly, and refined its position on the relationship between Zika virus infection and Guillain - Barré syndrome, stating that Zika virus infection is a
trigger of Guillain - Barré syndrome.