Zika Virus Birth Defects Don’t Stop at Microcephaly

As Zika virus infections continue to spread, with cases reported in parts of Florida and southeast Asia, most people are familiar with the virus's most damaging effects: on the developing fetus during pregnancy. The most common consequence of infection is an underdeveloped brain, or microcephaly.

Not all babies who are exposed to the virus during pregnancy are affected by Zika; scientists currently believe that only about 10% to 20% of babies are.