Maternal Infection and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes among Pregnant Travellers: Results of the International Zika Virus in Pregnancy Registry

• Main Authors: Manon Vouga, Léo Pomar, Antoni Soriano-Arandes, Carlota Rodó, Anna Goncé, Eduard Gratacos, Audrey Merriam, Isabelle Eperon, Begoña Martinez De Tejada, Béatrice Eggel, Sophie Masmejan, Laurence Rochat, Blaise Genton, Tim Van Mieghem, Véronique Lambert, Denis Malvy, Patrick Gérardin, David Baud, Alice Panchaud
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-02-01
• Series: Viruses
• Subjects: zika; congenital zika syndrome; pregnancy; travelers
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/13/2/341

In this multicentre cohort study, we evaluated the risks of maternal ZIKV infections and adverse pregnancy outcomes among exposed travellers compared to women living in areas with ZIKV circulation (residents). The risk of maternal infection was lower among travellers compared to residents: 25.0% (<i>n</i> = 36/144) versus 42.9% (<i>n</i> = 309/721); aRR 0.6; 95%CI 0.5–0.8. Risk factors associated with maternal infection among travellers were travelling during the epidemic period (i.e., June 2015 to December 2016) (aOR 29.4; 95%CI 3.7-228.1), travelling to the Caribbean Islands (aOR 3.2; 95%CI 1.2-8.7) and stay duration >2 weeks (aOR 8.7; 95%CI 1.1–71.5). Adverse pregnancy outcomes were observed in 8.3% (<i>n</i> = 3/36) of infected travellers and 12.7% (<i>n</i> = 39/309) of infected residents. Overall, the risk of maternal infections is lower among travellers compared to residents and related to the presence of ongoing outbreaks and stay duration, with stays <2 weeks associated with minimal risk in the absence of ongoing outbreaks.