Long-term consequences of Zika virus infections during pregnancy for school- aged children and their families in Brazil

Grant number: 224494/B/21/Z

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Key facts

  • Disease

    Zika virus disease, Congenital infection caused by Zika virus
  • Start & end year

    2023
    2030
  • Known Financial Commitments (USD)

    $1,852,304.47
  • Funder

    Wellcome Trust
  • Principal Investigator

    Prof Ricardo Arraes de Alencar Ximenes
  • Research Location

    Brazil
  • Lead Research Institution

    Insituto de Apoio à Fundação Universidade de Pernambuco (IAUPE)
  • Research Priority Alignment

    N/A
  • Research Category

    Epidemiological studies

  • Research Subcategory

    Disease surveillance & mapping

  • Special Interest Tags

    N/A

  • Study Type

    Non-Clinical

  • Clinical Trial Details

    N/A

  • Broad Policy Alignment

    Pending

  • Age Group

    Children (1 year to 12 years)

  • Vulnerable Population

    Unspecified

  • Occupations of Interest

    Unspecified

Abstract

Using unparalleled epidemiological, administrative, and social science data continuously collected from 2015 onwards in Brazil, this collaborative proposal aims to define the prognosis and learning needs of school-aged children with prenatal exposure to Zika virus (ZIKV) and the long-term health and social impacts for families of children with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). Through four linked work packages, we will: (i) define the natural history of CZS in the first 12 years of life, including the frequency of late- onset manifestations, hospitalizations, and deaths, (ii) compare neurodevelopment and learning-related outcomes in children with and without CZS, (iii) evaluate long-term consequences of CZS for families, including implications of COVID-19, and (iv) critically interrogate the experience of families engaging in research and data sharing initiatives during and after public health emergencies. To achieve these aims, we are requesting resources to perform comprehensive clinical and neurodevelopmental assessments in the Microcephaly Epidemic Research Group and ZIKAIFF Pediatric Cohorts in Pernambuco and Rio de Janeiro states, undertake a nationwide individual participant data meta-analysis of ZIKV-related clinical and neurodevelopmental outcomes among children in the Zika Brazilian Cohorts Consortium, link large- scale nationwide electronic health and social records in the CIDACS/Fiocruz Zika Platform, and conduct qualitative research with key stakeholders.