Congenital rubella

Definition

Congenital rubella is a group of physical problems that occur in an infant when its mother is infected with the virus that causes German measles.

Causes

Congenital rubella is caused by the destructive action of the rubella virus on the fetus at a critical time in development. The most critical time is the first trimester (the first 3 months of a pregnancy). After the fourth month, the mother's rubella infection is less likely to harm the developing fetus.

The rate of congenital rubella has decreased dramatically since the introduction of the rubella vaccine.

Risk factors for congenital rubella include:

• Not getting the recommended rubella immunization
• Contact with a person who has rubella (also called the 3-day measles or German measles)

Pregnant women who are not vaccinated and who have not had rubella risk infection to themselves and damage to their unborn baby.

References

Edlich RF, Winters KL, Long WB 3rd, Gubler KD. Rubella and congenital rubella (German measles). J Long Term Eff Med Implants. 2005;15(3):319-28.

Bar-Oz B, Levichek Z, Moretti ME, Mah C, Andreou S, Koren G. Pregnancy outcome following rubella vaccination: a prospective controlled study. Am J Med Genet A. 2004 Sep 15;130(1):52-4.

Robertson SE, Featherstone DA, Gacic-Dobo M, Hersh BS. Rubella and congenital rubella syndrome: global update. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2003 Nov;14(5):306-15. Review.