A recent study published in the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics has shed light on the negative impact of dengue virus infection on children born to infected pregnant women. 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.
Dengue fever, caused by the Aedes mosquito, is the most common mosquito-borne illness worldwide. The number of cases has significantly increased in recent years, with over three million cases reported in the Americas alone in 2023. Brazil has recorded over 3.5 million cases since January 2024, making it the largest dengue outbreak on record.
The study found that children born to women who had even mild dengue fever during pregnancy had a 67% and 133% greater risk of being classified as very and extremely low birth weight, respectively. This highlights the long-lasting impact of dengue virus infection during pregnancy on the health of children in their early years.
Children born to dengue-infected pregnant women were also found to have a 27% higher risk of hospitalization from birth to 3 years of age, with a 76% increase in risk at 2 years of age. This underscores the importance of protecting pregnant women from dengue virus infection and ensuring that they receive proper medical care after giving birth to minimize its negative impact on their children’s health.
Overall, this study highlights the need for increased awareness and prevention measures against dengue virus infection during pregnancy to protect both mothers and their unborn children from its negative impacts.
