Public Health Resources

 

Authors

Janet D. Cragan, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Jennifer L. Isenburg, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Samantha E. Parker, Boston University School of Public Health
C. J. Alverson, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Robert E. Meyer, N.C. Division of Public Health
Erin B. Stallings, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Russell S. Kirby, University of South Florida
Philip J. Lupo, Baylor College of Medicine
Jennifer S. Liu, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Amanda Seagroves, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mary K. Ethen, Texas Department of State Health Services
Sook Ja Cho, Minnesota Department of Health
MaryAnn Evans, Oregon Public Health Division
Rebecca F. Liberman, Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Jane Fornoff, Illinois Department of Public Health
Marilyn L. Browne, New York State Department of Health
Rachel E. Rutkowski, University of South Florida
Amy E. Nance, Utah Department of Health
Marlene Anderka, National Birth Defects Prevention Network
Deborah J. Fox, New York State Department of Health
Amy Steele, Utah Department of Health
Glenn Copeland, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Paul A. Romitti, University of Iowa
Cara T. Mai, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

BIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH (PART A) 106:972–982 (2016)

Comments

U.S. Government Work

Abstract

Background: Congenital microcephaly has been linked to maternal Zika virus infection. However, ascertaining infants diagnosed with microcephaly can be challenging. Methods: Thirty birth defects surveillance programs provided data on infants diagnosed with microcephaly born 2009 to 2013. The pooled prevalence of microcephaly per 10,000 live births was estimated overall and by maternal/infant characteristics. Variation in prevalence was examined across case finding methods. Nine programs provided data on head circumference and conditions potentially contributing to microcephaly. Results: The pooled prevalence of microcephaly was 8.7 per 10,000 live births. Median prevalence (per 10,000 live births) was similar among programs using active (6.7) and passive (6.6) methods; the interdecile range of prevalence estimates was wider among programs using passive methods for all race/ethnicity categories except Hispanic. Prevalence (per 10,000 live births) was lowest among non-Hispanic Whites (6.5) and highest among non- Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics (11.2 and 11.9, respectively); estimates followed a U-shaped distribution by maternal age with the highest prevalence among mothers(11.5) and >40 years (13.2). For gestational age and birth weight, the highest prevalence was among infants varied; 41.8% of cases had an HC > the 10th percentile for sex and gestational age. Conclusion: Differences in methods, population distribution of maternal/infant characteristics, and case definitions for microcephaly can contribute to the wide range of observed prevalence estimates across individual birth defects surveillance programs. Addressing these factors in the setting of Zika virus infection can improve the quality of prevalence estimates.

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