A link between the Zika virus and microcephaly has finally been proven by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, ending the pervasive question sparked earlier this year.
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During pregnancy, much of a fetus’ development is contingent on the condition and function of the placenta. It is responsible for the transmission of substances from mother to child that are critical to early development, including blood, oxygen and nutrients, without which the fetus could not exist. Sometimes, however, environmental effects can cause deficiencies in the placenta, which can lead to harmful side effects such as preterm birth or even death.
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