Dengue fever is a growing concern around the world, with a significant increase in cases over recent years. In Brazil, the country has experienced the largest dengue outbreak on record, with over 3.5 million cases reported since January 2024. A new study published in the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics sheds light on the impact of dengue virus infection during pregnancy on birth outcomes.
Researchers from the University of Surrey and the University of Birmingham analyzed a large dataset on dengue-infected pregnant women and birth outcomes in southeastern Brazil. They found that children born to women infected with the dengue virus during pregnancy were more likely to be born at very or extremely low birth weight. This can negatively impact their health for at least the first three years of life.
In particular, newborns of women who had even mild dengue fever during pregnancy had a 67% and 133% higher risk of being classified as very and extremely low birth weight, respectively. From birth to 3 years of age, these children had a 27% higher risk of hospitalization, with a 76% increased risk at 2 years of age.
This study highlights the importance of prenatal care for women infected with dengue virus during pregnancy. It also underscores the need for continued research to better understand the long-term health effects of dengue infection on both mothers and children.