Congenital rubella syndrome

Congenital rubella syndrome
White pupils due to congenital cataract in a child with congenital rubella syndrome
Classification and external resources
Specialty	Teratology
ICD-10	P35.0
ICD-9-CM	771.0
DiseasesDB	11729
MedlinePlus	001658
eMedicine	emerg/388
Patient UK	Congenital rubella syndrome
MeSH	D012410

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) can occur in a developing fetus of a pregnant woman who has contracted rubella, usually in the first trimester. If infection occurs 0–28 days before conception, the infant has a 43% chance of being affected. If the infection occurs 0–12 weeks after conception, the chance increases to 51%. If the infection occurs 13–26 weeks after conception, the chance is 23% of the infant being affected by the disease. 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 and continues to disseminate the virus after birth.

It was discovered in 1941 by Australian Norman McAlister Gregg.

The molecular basis for the causation of congenital rubella syndrome are not yet completely clear, but in vitro studies with cell lines showed that rubella virus has an apoptotic effect on certain cell types. There is evidence for a p53-dependent mechanism.

Signs and symptom

Infant with skin lesions from congenital rubella

"Salt-and-pepper" retinopathy is characteristic of congenital rubella.

File:Rubella serology.png

Congenital rubella serology time-line

The classic triad for congenital rubella syndrome is:

• Sensorineural deafness (58% of patients)
• Eye abnormalities—especially retinopathy, cataract, and microphthalmia (43% of patients)
• Congenital heart disease—especially pulmonary artery stenosis and patent ductus arteriosus (50% of patients)

Other manifestations of CRS may include:

• Spleen, liver, or bone marrow problems (some of which may disappear shortly after birth)
• Intellectual disability
• Small head size (microcephaly)
• Eye defects
• Low birth weight
• Thrombocytopenic purpura
• Extramedullary hematopoiesis (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:

• Developmental delay
• Autism
• Schizophrenia
• Growth retardation
• Learning disabilities
• Diabetes mellitus
• Glaucoma

Prevention

Vaccinating the majority of the population is effective at preventing congenital rubella syndrome.

External links

• Delayed effects of Congenital Rubella Syndrome
• DeafBlind.com
• Helen Keller National Center