[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/link-zika-birth-defects\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/link-zika-birth-defects\/","headline":"The Link Between Zika and Birth Defects","name":"The Link Between Zika and Birth Defects","description":"Learn more about the risk of birth defects from Zika \u2014 and what expecting mothers can do to protect themselves.","datePublished":"2016-07-10","dateModified":"2019-04-18","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","name":"UPMC Magee-Womens","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-magee-womens-hospital\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Birth-Defects-Image.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Birth-Defects-Image.jpg","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/link-zika-birth-defects\/","about":["Family Health"],"wordCount":433,"keywords":["Birth Defects","CDC","infectious disease","Microcephaly","Mosquito-borne illness","zika"],"articleBody":"This article was last updated on August 2, 2016Check back in with the UPMC HealthBeat blog for news and updates on the Zika virus.You may know that the Zika virus is potentially dangerous for pregnant women because of its link to birth defects.But what are these birth defects? And how can they affect an unborn baby? Learn more about the risk of birth defects from Zika \u2014 and what expecting mothers can do to protect themselves.Guillain-Barr\u00e9 Syndrome and ZikaThe Zika virus is also linked to Guillain-Barr\u00e9 Syndrome (GBS), an uncommon illness of the nervous system in which a person\u2019s own immune system damages nerve cells, causing progressive muscle weakness and even sometimes paralysis. GBS is likely triggered by Zika in a small proportion of infections.\u00a0GBS can led to the following symptomsWeakness of the arms or legsWeakness in face muscles that control eye movement or swallowingDifficulty breathing in severe casesParalysis in severe casesMicrocephaly and ZikaZika is also casually linked to microcephaly, a birth defect in which a baby\u2019s head is smaller than expected compared to babies of the same age. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that will likely not develop properly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Microcephaly, depending on the severity, may cause the following problems:SeizuresDevelopmental delays, such as issues with speechIntellectual disabilityProblems with movement or balanceDifficulty swallowingHearing lossVision complicationsOther Birth Defects and the Zika VirusIn addition to microcephaly and Guillain-Barr\u00e9 Syndrome, the Zika virus may cause other birth defects including:Eye defectsHearing lossImpaired growthPregnant women should avoid travel to areas experiencing ongoing Zika outbreaks when possible.\u00a0If travel cannot be avoided, pregnant women should follow the CDC\u2019s mosquito bite prevention guidelines. These include applying DEET insect repellent, wearing long-sleeves and pants, and staying inside within air-conditioned areas. Remember, insect repellent is safe for pregnant women to use.The vast majority of mosquito-borne Zika cases are travel-related: People generally have contracted the virus after traveling to affected areas. In August 2016, the CDC issued a travel warning for pregnant women, advising them to avoid the Miami-area community of Wynwood, where the virus may be circulating.\u201cIt\u2019s also important to remember that not all pregnant women who contract the Zika virus will end up with complications or a baby born with defects,\u201d said Richard Beigi, MD, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC.Consult your doctor if you\u2019re concerned about Zika or are planning to travel. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"07","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/07\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Link Between Zika and Birth Defects","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/link-zika-birth-defects\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]