Portraits of Zika babies

Associated Press photographer Felipe Dana has followed these babies, diagnosed with microcephaly linked to the Zika virus, from hospitals to their cribs, from brain exams to bath time since the outbreak began in Brazil. After several interviews and assignments with the mothers, he wanted to capture the mothers’ pride for their children, using instant film so they could immediately see and keep the photographs. Dana gave the women the prints but preserved the negatives, later bleaching and scanning them so they mirrored the images the mothers took home.

For a brief moment, these parents of children with microcephaly put aside their search for hard-to-find drugs needed to prevent their babies from having seizures, or the uncomfortable stares directed at their children, who were born with small heads because of a Zika virus infection in the womb.

Against a black cloth and looking at an instant camera, the women drew their little ones close to their cheeks and smiled. They were just like any other moms getting the first formal photographs of their babies. 

More photos: Zika virus takes heartbreaking toll

Photo: Angelica Pereira holds an instant print of her and her daughter Luiza in Santa Cruz do Capibaribe, Pernambuco state, Brazil, Sept. 26, 2016. 

Children with microcephaly

A surge late last year in cases of babies born with small heads in northeast Brazil set off worldwide alarm over the Zika virus. 

Along with financial and health worries, these families also face the social stigma of raising a disabled child, which they say is even more pronounced in the poverty-stricken northeastern region of Brazil where they live.

Amid doctors’ appointments, physical therapy and regular tests, these mothers have hardly found the time to take portraits with their children.

Daniele Ferreira dos Santos holds her son Juan Pedro as they pose for a photo in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil, Sept. 29, 2016. Santos is helped by her mother and older daughter, who often take turns caring for Juan Pedro. The child’s father left the house a few weeks after he was born.

Children with microcephaly

While being photographed, some mothers brought their child close to their chest and others raised him or her into the air while kissing the baby’s nose or forehead. They relaxed as Dana made animated voices to get their babies to look at the camera.

Tatiane do Nascimento with her son Willamis Silva in Recife, Sept. 29, 2016. Willamis was having swallowing problems and not gaining weight so a feeding tube was introduced, which in less than a month he pulled out a couple of times. Barbosa, who has two other children, says she used to take Williamis daily to the hospital or physical therapy, but now they are going two or three times a week. 

Children with microcephaly

Angelica Pereira kisses her daughter Luiza, who was born with microcephaly, one of many serious medical problems that can be caused by congenital Zika syndrome, in Santa Cruz do Capibaribe, Sept. 26, 2016.

“Some moms feel like they have to hide their children who are disabled. Not me. I am showing her to the world. What is beautiful must be seen by everyone,” said Angelica Pereira, mother of 1-year-old Luiza Beatriz.

“We are always chasing something. We have to drop everything else, all our chores, our homes,” said the 21-year-old. “There are so many of us with children with special needs. (The government) is forgetting about that.”

Children with microcephaly

The women seemed anxious as they stood by a table, waiting the 90 seconds needed for the instant film to develop so they could see the resulting image. The photographer, Felipe Dana, peeled apart the negative and put the film prints on the table. The light on the foreheads and shoulders of the mothers and babies jumped out. The women stared at the photos, reading the expressions in their children’s eyes and finding some of the babies smiled.

Rozilene Ferreira poses with her 1-year-old son, Arthur Conceicao in Recife, Sept. 29, 2016. 

Children with microcephaly

Rosana Alves holds her daughter Luana, who was born with microcephaly, one of many serious medical problems that can be caused by congenital Zika syndrome, as they pose for a photo in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil, Sept. 29, 2016. Alves has three daughters and has left work to take care of Luana, who is equipped with specially designed leg braces to help position her feet. 

Children with microcephaly

A year after a spike in the number of newborns with the defect known as microcephaly, Brazilian doctors and researchers have seen many of the babies develop swallowing difficulties, epileptic seizures and vision and hearing problems.

Diana Felix and Carlos Alberto Dias with their son, Ezequiel in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. Dias stopped working to help Felix care for their four children. Sometimes he accompanies her to Ezequiel’s therapy sessions and medical appointments, which can be as often as five times a week. 

Children with microcephaly

Elisson Campos poses with his one-year-old brother, Jose Wesley Campos, in Bonito, Sept. 27, 2016. Elisson is very close to his baby brother and loves to hold him in his arms. 

Jose Wesley Campos came to be known as the “bucket baby” because of a Dec. 23, 2015 by Dana of him in a bucket filled with water to help him calm down. The image became emblematic of Brazil’s Zika epidemic amid a surge of babies being born with unusually small heads in the country’s northeast.

Children with microcephaly

Jusikelly da Silva poses with her daughter Luhandra in Recife, Sept. 29, 2016. 

Silva says she is desperate to get a brain scan for Luhandra, who was sitting up and eating solid foods before a seizure several months ago left her virtually motionless.

Children with microcephaly

Vanessa dos Santos with her son, Enzo, in Recife, Sept. 29, 2016. Santos is one of the few mothers who lives within walking distance of a rehabilitation center. 

Enzo is eating well and gaining weight, but he has to take medication twice a day to control convulsions and still has difficulties with movements, especially in his hands.

Children with microcephaly

A composite of the portraits taken by Felipe Dana.