A new study published in the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics has shown that children born to women infected with the dengue virus during pregnancy have a higher risk of being born at very or extremely low birth weight. This can negatively impact their health for at least the first three years of life. 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 is a mosquito-borne illness that has been on the rise in recent years, with over 3 million cases reported in the Americas alone in 2023. Brazil, in particular, has experienced one of the largest dengue outbreaks on record, with over 3.5 million cases reported since January 2024.
The study found that even mild dengue fever during pregnancy can increase the risk of newborns being classified as very or extremely low birth weight by 67% and 133%, respectively. From birth to three years of age, these children had a 27% higher risk of hospitalization, with a 76% increased risk at two years of age. The researchers believe that this is due to the fact that dengue infection can cause inflammation and oxidative stress, which can damage developing organs and tissues in unborn babies.