Transmission of Zika virus through breast milk and other breastfeeding-related bodily-fluids
Citation: Colt S, Garcia-Casal M.N, Peña-Rosas J.P, et al. Transmission of Zika virus through breast milk and other breastfeeding-related bodily-fluids: A systematic review. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2017;11(4):e0005528.
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ZIKV was detected in the breast milk of all three ZIKV infected mothers, however the data was insufficient to conclude ZIKV transmission via breastfeeding.
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection was considered a mild fever illness until recently when an outbreak in South America revealed that the virus can cause microcephaly and other neurological disorders. ZIKV is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, but can also spread from person to person. This review aimed to investigated evidence of breastfeeding transmission from ZIKV-infected mothers to their children. A systematic review of observational studies, case studies, and surveillance reports involving breastfeeding women with ZIKV infection in several international databases identified three cases of ZIKV infection among lactating mothers near the time of delivery. Two of the three (2/3) associated newborns had evidence of ZIKV infection. ZIKV was detected in the breast milk of all three mothers. Breast milk detection results were positive in all mothers (3/3) by RT-PCR, one was positive by culture (1/3), and none were tested using ZIKV specific antibodies.