Rubella

Potential Effect on Fetus

• Fetal loss
• Congenital Syndrome especially:
  • hearing loss
  • congenital heart failure
  • cataracts
  • thrombocytopenia/purpura

Rate of Perinatal Transmission

• 1^st trimester – 67-85% (infection in 1^st trimester associated with more severe fetal infection)
• 11-16 weeks – 55%
• > 16 weeks – 45%

Maternal Screening

- Routine Rubella IgG performed in 1^st trimester.

- If maternal rubella suspected, perform Rubella IgM.

Prevention

- Vaccination before or after pregnancy (not during).

- In acute infection – droplet precautions.

- In neonatal infection acquired congenitally, use contact precautions for at least 1 year unless nasopharyngeal and urine cultures repeatedly negative after 3 months.