Introduction: The severity of virally induced prenatal brain injury, even among dizygotic twins, varies according to individual and maternal risk and protective factors, including genomics. Objective: This scoping review aims to analyze data on genetic susceptibility to neurological outcomes in children exposed in utero to Zika virus. Methods: We followed JBI methodology for this scoping review. A search in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Academic Search Ultimate, Agricola, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection was conducted. Three reviewers independently screened studies using the Rayyan platform. Studies on gene mutations impacting brain injury after Zika virus infection were included.Results: Thirteen articles identifying candidate genes related to brain injury were reviewed. Twenty-three genes were implicated in modulating susceptibility to prenatal brain injury, including six maternal and 17 infant genes. Conclusion: Maternal and fetal genetic factors likely contribute susceptibility to virally induced prenatal brain injury. Analyzing polygenic risk could aid in future screening programs to identify individuals at risk. This information may eventually be integrated into clinical data, helping healthcare providers, families, and patients understand how to personalize care for better outcomes.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

This manuscript is the result of funding in whole or in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is subject to the NIH Public Access Policy. Through acceptance of this federal funding, NIH has been given a right to make this manuscript publicly available in PubMed Central upon the Official Date of Publication, as defined by NIH. This work was supported by extramural funds (K08NS119882; L40HD102847), intramural funding (Childrens National Research Institute), and support from IDDRC P50 (P50HD105328) to Y.A.K.

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The study used ONLY openly available human data that were originally located at: 1. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008424 2. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009507 3. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02790-9 4. DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.530028 5. DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2145061 6. DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.641413 7. DOI: 10.3390/v13020325 8. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06878 9. DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2232 10. DOI: 10.1111/joim.12829 11. DOI: 10.3390/v13112253 12. DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz392 13. 10.1038/s41598-023-30342-3

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