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.

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 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

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

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

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 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

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.

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.

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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.