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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.
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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.
May cause congenital abnormalities?
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.
How many people die each year from the rubella virus?
Rubella typically causes few deaths in developed countries, with less than 10 reported deaths globally each year. However, the virus can lead to serious complications, like congenital rubella syndrome in pregnant women, which can result in miscarriages, stillbirths, and severe birth defects in infants. It is important to vaccinate against rubella to prevent these outcomes.
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 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.
Congenital rubella?
DefinitionCongenital 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 immunizationContact 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 pupilDeafnessDevelopmental delayExcessive sleepinessIrritabilityLow birth weightMental retardationSeizuresSmall head sizeSkin rash at birthSigns and testsLaboratory 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:CataractsGlaucomaRetinitisHeart:Patent ductus arteriosusPulmonary artery stenosisOther heart defectsCentral nervous system:Mental retardationMotor retardationSmall head from failed brain developmentEncephalitisMeningitisOther:DeafnessLow blood platelet countEnlarged liver and spleenAbnormal muscle toneBone diseaseCalling your health care providerCall 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.
What causes conginental heart disease?
Congenital Heart Disease - is the failure of the heart to develop during the 1st Trimester of pregnancy and any defect in the structure of the heart or major blood vessels. It is also called the Blue Baby Syndrome and Cystosis.Causes of the Congenital Heart Disease :1. Rubella (German Measles)2. Drugs3. Alcohol
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.
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.
Why is the Rubella virus so dangerous for an unborn baby?
The baby can have something called Rubella Syndrome if the mother has rubella in her first trimester. Quote from the Related Link below: The classic triad for congenital rubella syndrome is: * Sensorineural deafness - (58% of patients) * Eye abnormalities - especially cataract and microphthalmia (43% of patients) * Congenital heart disease - especially 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) * mental retardation * small head size (microcephaly) * eye defects * low birth weight * thrombocytopenic purpura (presents as a characteristic "blueberry muffin" rash) * hepatomegaly * micrognathia
