Point-of-care Ultrasound in Pregnancy: Think Congenital Zika Virus

Starting in 2015, microcephaly associated with Zika virus emerged as a public health emergency of international concern.  Initial cases in the United States were travel-associated, however, there are increasing reports of local transmission in pockets of the country and therefore public concerns may escalate.1 Emergency physicians commonly perform point-of-care ultrasound on pregnant patients, a population of special concern.  This paper describes ultrasound findings typical of Zika-related congenital malformations that may be incidental findings or detected when examining exposed or concerned patients.  These discoveries should alert emergency physicians to provide urgent referral for confirmatory studies and counseling