Effects in the development of children exposed to zika virus in the fetal period: an integrative review - Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To know the evidence available in the literature on the effects of the zika virus in children development after fetal exposure.

Methods:

This is an integrative literature review with 16 scientific articles found in five databases (PubMed, LILACS, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus), based on the guiding question: “What are the effects in the development of children aged 0 to 6 years exposed to the zika virus in the fetal period? The STROBE statement was used for data extraction and evaluation of primary studies.

Results:

Exposure to the zika virus in the fetal period resulted in several congenital anomalies and/or changes in the central nervous system: microcephaly, ocular problems, neurosensorial problems, ventriculomegaly, intracranial calcification, cardiopathy, arthrogryposis, among others.

Conclusion:

The zika virus is neurotropic; its effect in the fetal nervous system causes irreparable damage to the child, so health professionals, especially nurses, must intensify maternal and also childcare.