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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 factorsCongenital 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.
SymptomsSymptoms 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.
TreatmentThere 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.
ComplicationsComplications 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.
PreventionVaccination 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.
ReferencesEdlich 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.
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∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoCongenital rubella is a condition that occurs in an infant whose mother is infected with the virus that causes German measles.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsCongenital rubella occurs when the rubella virus in the mother affects the developing baby at a critical time, in the first 3 months of pregnancy. After the fourth month, the mother's rubella infection is less likely to harm the developing baby.
The number of babies born with congenital rubella has decreased dramatically since the introduction of the rubella vaccine.
Pregnant women who are not vaccinated for rubella and who have not had the disease in the past risk infecting themself and their unborn baby.
SymptomsSymptoms 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
The baby's health care provider will run blood and urine tests to check for the virus.
TreatmentThere is no specific treatment for congenital rubella. Symptoms are treated as appropriate.
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.
ComplicationsComplications 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.
PreventionVaccination 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.
ReferencesMason WH. Rubella. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 244.
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.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 05/01/2011
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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May cause congenital abnormalities?
rubella
Is rubella a latent viruse?
No, it is not. However, congenital rubella syndrome is. This occurs when a pregnant woman contracts rubella early on in her pregnancy. The rubella may or may not affect the infant.
What is Congenital Rubella Syndrome?
Congenital Rubella Syndrome is caused by the mother of an unborn child contracting the German Measles during the first trimester of pregnancy. The Rubella virus gets transmitted to the baby and can cause many birth defects and health problems. Mental retardation, blindness, deafness and heart problems are some of the effects related to Rubella.
Is a congenital disorder a noninfectious disease?
Congenital disorder is noninfectious disease. Although it may be a result of infection by some infective agent like rubella virus, during first trimester of pregnancy.
What are some types of communicable diseases?
Everything that isn't congenital (born with it): measles, mumps, smallpox, AIDS, TB, rubella.
What birth defects can rubella cause?
Rubella isn't usually a serious disease in children, a vaccine is a simple way to prevent it, however it can be very serious if a pregnant woman becomes infected. If she developed rubella during pregnancy, especially during the first three months, the infection is likely to spread to the foetus and cause congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Up to 20% of the infants born to mothers infected with rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy have CRS. CRS can result in miscarriage, stillbirth and severe birth defects. The most common of the defects are blindness, deafness, heart damage and mental retardation.
What are the causes of Rubella?
Rubella is an infection, that can be transmitted by inhaling droplets that get into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Rubella can also spread by direct contact with fluids from the nose or throat of an infected person.
What does rubella do to the body?
Rubella is a contagious infection that leaves a rash on your skin. Rubella is also called German Measles. The rash looks like either pink or light red spots, which can form evenly colored patches. Rubella can lead to swollen lymph nodes in other parts of the body, and pain and swelling in the joints. Rubella in pregnant woman can cause congenital rubella syndrome. Children who are infected with rubella pre-birth are at risk for many things such as growth and mental retardation, malformations of the heart and eyes, deafness, and liver, spleen, and bone marrow problems. It's very serious for pregnant women diagnosed with rubella get a vaccine immediately.
What is the medical term meaning heart ailment acquired during mother's pregnancy due to German measles?
Patent ductus arteriosus is one heart ailment associated with congenital rubella.
What disease causes rubella?
Rubella isn't usually a serious disease in children, a vaccine is a simple way to prevent it, however it can be very serious if a pregnant woman becomes infected. If she developed rubella during pregnancy, especially during the first three months, the infection is likely to spread to the foetus and cause congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Up to 20% of the infants born to mothers infected with rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy have CRS. CRS can result in miscarriage, stillbirth and severe birth defects. The most common of the defects are blindness, deafness, heart damage and mental retardation.
Can you give rubella vaccine to positive rubella patient?
Can you give rubella vaccine to positive rubella patient?
What may occur if rubella is contracted in the latter stages of pregnancy?
Infections contracted later in pregnancy do not cause congenital defects, although the newborn may become seriously ill and eventually develop diabetes mellitus.
