biostudies-literatureUnknownMulkey SBNICHD NIH HHS<h4>Background</h4>Children exposed antenatally to Zika virus (ZIKV) during the 2015-2016 epidemic are now in school; little is known about their neurodevelopment at this age. The objective was to evaluate neurodevelopment of ZIKV-exposed Colombian children compared to non-exposed controls at ages 5-6.<h4>Methods</h4>In total, 48 normocephalic children with antenatal ZIKV exposure (Cases) were recruited for a longitudinal cohort study in Atlántico, Colombia. Two age-matched control groups of 118 non-ZIKV-exposed children were recruited from same communities as Cases: 63 born before ZIKV epidemic but experienced COVID-19-related school entry delays, and 55 born post-ZIKV epidemic but started school on time. Multi-domain neurodevelopment was assessed at 5-6 years using standardized measures. Standard regression and proportional odds models were used to compare outcomes. P values were adjusted using the Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) (p < 0.05).<h4>Results</h4>There were no differences in age at assessment between groups. Case Full-Scale IQ scores were lower than both control groups (p = 0.002), driven by visual reasoning (p < 0.001). Controls with school entry delay had more executive control problems and lower adaptive functioning skills than Cases and Controls without school entry delay.<h4>Conclusions</h4>ZIKV-exposed children have lower cognitive performance compared to controls. Early childhood experiences can affect pediatric outcomes research.<h4>Impact</h4>Normocephalic ZIKV-exposed children have lower full-scale IQ than their unexposed peers from the same communities. Normocephalic children with antenatal ZIKV exposure have differences in neurodevelopment that can impact them long-term. There is a need for continued follow-up of children with antenatal ZIKV exposure to determine long-term effects on higher-order areas of cognitive function.Pediatric researchhttps://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12273634biostudies-literatureSchool-age child neurodevelopment following antenatal Zika virus exposure.PMC12273634R01 HD102445P50 HD105328Podolsky RHCure CArroyave-Wessel MPeyton CWilliams MEMulkey SBAndringa-Seed RCorn EMsall MEBerl MMfalseSchool-age child neurodevelopment following antenatal Zika virus exposure.<h4>Background</h4>Children exposed antenatally to Zika virus (ZIKV) during the 2015-2016 epidemic are now in school; little is known about their neurodevelopment at this age. The objective was to evaluate neurodevelopment of ZIKV-exposed Colombian children compared to non-exposed controls at ages 5-6.<h4>Methods</h4>In total, 48 normocephalic children with antenatal ZIKV exposure (Cases) were recruited for a longitudinal cohort study in Atlántico, Colombia. Two age-matched control groups of 118 non-ZIKV-exposed children were recruited from same communities as Cases: 63 born before ZIKV epidemic but experienced COVID-19-related school entry delays, and 55 born post-ZIKV epidemic but started school on time. Multi-domain neurodevelopment was assessed at 5-6 years using standardized measures. Standard regression and proportional odds models were used to compare outcomes. P values were adjusted using the Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) (p < 0.05).<h4>Results</h4>There were no differences in age at assessment between groups. Case Full-Scale IQ scores were lower than both control groups (p = 0.002), driven by visual reasoning (p < 0.001). Controls with school entry delay had more executive control problems and lower adaptive functioning skills than Cases and Controls without school entry delay.<h4>Conclusions</h4>ZIKV-exposed children have lower cognitive performance compared to controls. Early childhood experiences can affect pediatric outcomes research.<h4>Impact</h4>Normocephalic ZIKV-exposed children have lower full-scale IQ than their unexposed peers from the same communities. Normocephalic children with antenatal ZIKV exposure have differences in neurodevelopment that can impact them long-term. There is a need for continued follow-up of children with antenatal ZIKV exposure to determine long-term effects on higher-order areas of cognitive function.2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Mar2026-06-02T09:39:19.588Z2026-05-26T03:06:45.754ZS-EPMC122736344010843010.1038/s41390-025-03981-7