Health Encyclopedia

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, incidence, and risk factors

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.

Symptoms

Symptoms in the infant may include:

Cloudy corneas or white appearance to pupil
Deafness
Developmental delay
Excessive sleepiness
Irritability
Low birth weight
Mental retardation
Seizures
Small head size
Skin rash at birth

Signs and tests

Laboratory tests, including blood and urine tests, are done to check for the virus.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for congenital rubella. Care involves appropriate treatment of affected systems in consultation with your health care providers.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome for a child with congenital rubella depends on the severity of problems present. Heart defects can often be corrected. Damage to the nervous system is permanent.

Complications

Complications may involve many parts of the body.

Eyes:

Cataracts
Glaucoma
Retinitis

Heart:

Patent ductus arteriosus
Pulmonary artery stenosis
Other heart defects

Central nervous system:

Mental retardation
Motor retardation
Small head from failed brain development
Encephalitis
Meningitis

Other:

Deafness
Low blood platelet count
Enlarged liver and spleen
Abnormal muscle tone
Bone disease

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have concerns about congenital rubella, if you are unsure of your vaccination status, or if you or your children need a rubella vaccine.

Prevention

Vaccination prior to pregnancy can prevent congenital rubella. Pregnant women who are not immune to rubella should avoid contact with persons who have carry the virus.

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):319-328.

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;130(1):52-54.

Robertson SE, Featherstone DA, Gacic-Dobo M, Hersh BS. Rubella and congenital rubella syndrome: global update. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2003;14(5):306-315.

Review Date:10/15/2007
Reviewed By:Deirdre O’Reilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Children’s Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, and Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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