Complications:
• Encephalitis
• Neuritis
• Arthritis
• Arthralgias
• Rubella syndrome, manifested by;
o Microcephaly
o Cataract
o Heart disease
o Mental retardation
o Deaf – mutism
Risk of congenital malformation
- 100% - when maternal infection occurs on the first trimester of pregnancy or first moth of gestation.
- 4% - in the second and third trimester
- 90% - of congenital rubella cases will excrete the virus at birth and are therefore infectious.
- 10% - remain contagious until one year of age.
Clinical manifestations (Congenital Rubella)
I. Classic congenital rubella syndrome
• Intrauterine growth retardation ; infant has low birth weight
• All manifestations of congenital rubella syndrome
• Thrombocytopenic Purpura known as “blueberry muffin” skin
• Lethargy and hypothermia
II. Intrauterine Infection
• May result spontaneous abortion
• Birth of live child who may have one or multiple birth anomalies such as:
a. Cleft palate, hare lip, talipes, and eruption of teeth
b. Cardiac defects (patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect)
c. Eye defects (glaucoma, retinopathy, micropthalmia, unequal eyeballs)
d. Ear defects (deafness usually bilateral, abnormally shaped ears)
e. Neurologic (Microcephally, mental retardation, psychomotor retardation, behavioral disturbances, vasomotor instability)