VIDEO: SMFM panelist addresses Zika virus testing

ATLANTA – Information about managing pregnant patients who have potential exposure to the Zika virus is evolving rapidly, and in light of new recommendations on sexual transmission of the infection, officials from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine convened an expert panel to address the matter.

Leaders from the society joined officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to discuss the updated guidance – particularly a new recommendation for initially conducting serologic testing in pregnant women who have traveled to endemic areas.

Panel members advised physicians to keep a log of patients with possible Zika virus exposure, so those women can be managed properly in the event of future changes to the guidelines.

In an interview at the annual Pregnancy Meeting sponsored by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, panelist Dr. Brenna Hughes of Brown University, Providence, R.I., stressed the need to work with state health officials to develop local guidelines and testing mechanisms. “It will take a little time to build up the infrastructure for that kind of testing,” she said, adding that it is important to avoid delays.

Dr. Hughes reported having no financial disclosures.

[email protected]

ATLANTA – Information about managing pregnant patients who have potential exposure to the Zika virus is evolving rapidly, and in light of new recommendations on sexual transmission of the infection, officials from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine convened an expert panel to address the matter.

Leaders from the society joined officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to discuss the updated guidance – particularly a new recommendation for initially conducting serologic testing in pregnant women who have traveled to endemic areas.

Panel members advised physicians to keep a log of patients with possible Zika virus exposure, so those women can be managed properly in the event of future changes to the guidelines.

In an interview at the annual Pregnancy Meeting sponsored by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, panelist Dr. Brenna Hughes of Brown University, Providence, R.I., stressed the need to work with state health officials to develop local guidelines and testing mechanisms. “It will take a little time to build up the infrastructure for that kind of testing,” she said, adding that it is important to avoid delays.

Dr. Hughes reported having no financial disclosures.

[email protected]

ATLANTA – Information about managing pregnant patients who have potential exposure to the Zika virus is evolving rapidly, and in light of new recommendations on sexual transmission of the infection, officials from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine convened an expert panel to address the matter.

Leaders from the society joined officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to discuss the updated guidance – particularly a new recommendation for initially conducting serologic testing in pregnant women who have traveled to endemic areas.

Panel members advised physicians to keep a log of patients with possible Zika virus exposure, so those women can be managed properly in the event of future changes to the guidelines.

In an interview at the annual Pregnancy Meeting sponsored by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, panelist Dr. Brenna Hughes of Brown University, Providence, R.I., stressed the need to work with state health officials to develop local guidelines and testing mechanisms. “It will take a little time to build up the infrastructure for that kind of testing,” she said, adding that it is important to avoid delays.

Dr. Hughes reported having no financial disclosures.

[email protected]