Maternal-fetal medicine specialist speaks on expert panel about Zika at Brown

PROVIDENCE – Maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Brenna L. Hughes, chief of the Women’s Infectious Diseases Consultative Service at Women & Infants Hospital and an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, joined a panel discussion at Brown University’s Watson Institute to discuss the Zika virus.

The panel also included Dr. Rebecca Reece, medical consultant, Rhode Island Department of Health Division of Preparedness, Response, Infectious Disease and Emergency Medical Services, and clinical assistant professor of medicine, Alpert Medical School; Mark Lurie, associate professor, epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health; and Dr. Maria Mileno, associate professor of medicine, Alpert Medical School.

Hughes focused her portion of the mid-February discussion on the testing and unconfirmed correlation being made between the Zika virus and birth defects. Noting that there are more unknowns than knowns at this time when it comes to Zika and pregnancy, she added, “We do not know how Zika attacks fetuses to cause microcephaly.” Due to the high number of uncertainties, she stressed that women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant should postpone or not travel to those regions considered high-risk zones. If travel is required, careful attention to preventing mosquito bites is necessary.

Hughes also addressed the concerns of mothers who may contract Zika virus and are concerned about continuing breastfeeding due to the risk of infecting the child. “At this point, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that the benefits of breast milk outweigh the possible effects of the virus, if infected with Zika,” said Hughes.

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The CDC now recommends all pregnant women who have traveled to endemic areas be offered Zika blood tests and ultrasounds. While Hughes expressed concerns about the testing burden for the CDC caused by an influx of patients, she hopes to get a clearer picture on this from the Rhode Island Department of Health as testing recommendations roll out locally.

To watch the panel discussion in its entirety, visit brown.edu. For the most up-to-date facts on Zika virus, visit www.womenandinfants.org.

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