Congenital heart disease in zika virus congenital syndrome: how and when to investigate.

Abstract

The congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS) presents a wide spectrum of congenital abnormalities, especially neurological alterations, such as microcephaly (1). Recent studies have evaluated congenital heart disease (CHD) as a possible component of the CZS spectrum (2). In the same way as in congenital rubella syndrome (CRS)(1), cardiac malformations might be part of the multiple systemic disorders.The Brazilian Ministry of Health established a protocol that includes pulse oximetry and echocardiographic screening in the investigation of neonates with suspected CZS(1).