EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF CONGENITAL NEUROLOGICAL MALFORMATIONS IN RORAIMA IN THE POST-ZIKA VIRUS EPIDEMIC PERIOD (2016–2019)

Abstract

Congenital neurological malformations constitute a significant public health issue, particularly in regions marked by socio-environmental inequalities and limited access to prenatal care. The Zika virus outbreak in Brazil underscored the need to understand the patterns of these conditions across different contexts. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of congenital neurological malformations in the state of Roraima from 2016 to 2019, following the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil. It was a descriptive observational study employing both retrospective and prospective approaches, conducted at the Women's Health Reference Center and the Nossa Senhora de Nazareth Maternal and Child Hospital in Boa Vista, Roraima. Thirty-nine cases of congenital neurological malformations were analyzed using medical records and epidemiological data collection forms. A descriptive analysis of the variables was performed, considering the type of malformation, year of occurrence, and municipality of residence. The most frequent malformations were hydrocephalus, microcephaly, and myelomeningocele, accounting for 76.8% of the cases. A predominance of cases was observed in the municipality of Boa Vista, with fewer notifications in municipalities in the state's interior. The findings highlight the significance of congenital neurological malformations in Roraima during the post-Zika period and point to the need to strengthen prenatal care and maternal-child health surveillance.