U.S. and Brazilian researchers to recruit mothers and babies in one of the biggest government-led studies to understand whether the Zika virus is linked to microcephaly
February 21st, 2016“…..Researchers hope to enroll 100 mothers and their babies with microcephaly. These will be matched with 300 to 400 pairs of healthy mothers and their babies. Initial results are expected this spring……..
Blood samples from moms and babies in both groups will be tested for signs of Zika infection.
Current diagnostic tests looking for Zika antibodies are limited because they closely resemble dengue, a related virus common in Brazil. The team hopes that taking samples from both mothers and their babies will give a more precise picture of whether Zika was involved. They will also look for other exposures that might explain why a baby developed microcephaly.
The study’s design should help determine the relative risk of microcephaly in babies whose mothers were infected with Zika.
Staples said the work could provide stronger confirmation of a link, but that it would take years of scientific investigation to prove whether Zika actually causes microcephaly…..”