Congenital rubella syndrome

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) can occur in a developing fetus of a pregnant woman who has contracted rubella during her first trimester. If infection occurs 0-28 days before conception, there is a 43% chance the infant will be affected. If the infection occurs 0-12 weeks after conception, there is a 51% chance the infant will be affected. If the infection occurs 13-26 weeks after conception there is a 23% chance the infant will be affected. Infants are not generally affected if rubella is contracted during the third trimester, or 26-40 weeks after conception.Problems rarely occur when rubella is contracted by the mother after 20 weeks of gestation. It was discovered in 1941 by Australian Norman McAllister Gregg (1892-1966).

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CRS can result in serious birth defects such as:

• malformations of the heart (especially patent ductus arteriosus), eyes or brain
• deafness
• spleen, liver or bone marrow problems (some of which may disappear shortly after birth)
• mental retardation
• small head size (microcephaly)
• eye defects
• low birth weight
• thrombocytopenic purpura (presents as a characteristic "blueberry muffin" rash)
• hepatomegaly
• micrognathia

  Children who have been exposed to rubella in the womb should also be watched closely as they age for any indication of the following:

• developmental delay
• Schizophrenia^[1]
• growth retardation
• learning disabilities
• diabetes
• glaucoma

References

1. ^ http://schizophreniabulletin.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/32/2/200