Microcephaly associated with maternal Zika virus infection

Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is transmitted by the Aedes species of mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti. At the end of 2015 an increased number of Brazilian newborns with microcephaly was observed. Despite clinical, epidemiological and laboratory evidence a causal relationship between ZIKV and fetal abnormalities has still not been definitively proven. However, there remain compelling associations of ZIKV infection during pregnancy or the intrapartum period with fetal damage to the central nervous system and eyes, spontaneous abortion, fetal growth restriction, hydrops and even fetal death.