What are the risks to a fetus when the mother contracts rubella during pregnancy?
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Congenital rubella is the infection of a foetus with rubella virus following the infection of the mother during pregnancy. ‘Congenital’ indicates that the foetus also becomes infected during pregnancy. Show
TransmissionRubella is a mild febrile rash illness caused by rubella virus and is transmitted from person to person via droplets (the virus is present in throat secretions). It can affect anyone who is not protected. SymptomsSymptoms are often mild, and up to 50% of infections may not present symptoms or be subclinical. However, as many as 85 out of 100 babies born to mothers who had rubella shortly before or during the first three months of pregnancy may develop health problems, so-called congenital rubella syndrome. ComplicationsRubella infection of the foetus may have severe consequences on the development of baby’s organs, which may result in birth defects or problems at a later stage in life.The type of complications may vary in nature and severity, depending on the stage of pregnancy when the infection occurred. Complications affect 85 out of 100 babies whose mothers had rubella just before or at the beginning of the pregnancy. Complications include deafness, cataracts, heart defects, brain disorders, mental retardation, bone alterations, liver and spleen damage. Furthermore, an infant infected with rubella during pregnancy can continue to shed the virus for about a year, sometimes longer. Symptoms can appear in the infant immediately at birth and up to the age of four years. Late-onset manifestations of congenital rubella syndrome are diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, and visual or neurological abnormalities.In approximately 20% of the cases, rubella infections result in the death of the foetus. How common is congenital rubella in the EU?Congenital rubella is a rare disease in the EU. However, a number of cases of CRS are still reported every year. According to reports from WHO, 60 cases were reported in the EU in 2012. Of these 60 cases of CRS, 55 were reported in Romania, which was affected by a large rubella outbreak. Since 2002, the annual number of reported cases has ranged from 7 to 23 cases annually. Can congenital rubella be prevented?Yes, by ensuring that everyone in the EU is vaccinated against rubella. In particular, women who are planning to get pregnant should be vaccinated as this protects the mother as well as the foetus. Women should avoid getting pregnant during four weeks following vaccination. Other population groups – and this includes unvaccinated men – also need to be vaccinated against rubella so that they do not unknowingly pass on the disease to others. What should I do if I don't remember getting vaccinated?Double-check any vaccination cards or records you may have. Otherwise talk to your doctor, nurse or midwife. They can run a simple blood test to check if you are already protected against rubella. In some countries, this blood test is done when you are planning to become pregnant or during pregnancy. Is rubella vaccination recommended in my country?Please refer to the ECDC vaccine scheduler and to your country’s recommendations for vaccinations. As of April 2014, all countries in the EU/EEA recommend that all people should be vaccinated against rubella.Vaccines against rubella have been in use in Europe since the 1970s. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine offers safe and effective protection against rubella and is the main vaccine in use in Europe. MMR vaccines used in Europe are contra-indicated during pregnancy. Your doctor, nurse or midwife will be able to advise you on when to get vaccinated.
Eradicated in the U.S., this childhood disease can (once in a great while) sneak in across the border. Back to Top  In This Article
Rubella, also known as German measles, is a short-lived infectious disease of childhood caused by a togavirus. German measles and so-called red measles, or rubeola, are not directly related to each other, though both are covered by the common MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. How common is rubella?The rubella virus has been eliminated in the United States because of the successful vaccination of children. Fewer than 10 people a year contract the illness, and all of those cases have been traced to travelers who carried the virus in from abroad. Who is most at risk for rubella?Most women of childbearing age either have had the disease or have been immunized against it as a child. Even if you're not immune, the risk that you might contract rubella is very low since the disease has been eliminated in the U.S. and most people are immune and unlikely to come down with it in the first place. However, since rubella is contagious and since it hasn't been eliminated abroad, a nonimmune person is at risk of getting the illness if they come into contact with someone who is infected. What are the symptoms of rubella?Rubella causes only mild symptoms, including:
Should you be concerned about rubella during pregnancy?Rubella is a fairly mild illness in children and even adults, but it could be devastating to unborn babies. The rubella virus is able to cross the placenta and is most dangerous early in pregnancy, when babies exposed to the virus are at risk of a condition called congenital rubella syndrome, characterized by eye defects, heart defects and intellectual disabilities. The risk of miscarriage or stillbirth also increases if a pregnant woman contracts rubella. By the month 3, the risk of birth defects is much lower, and after that, lower still. Continue Reading Below Read This NextAs with many of the childhood infectious illnesses, the most important thing to do is to make sure you've either been vaccinated or are already immune before you become pregnant. (Most practitioners will test for it at your first prenatal visit.) It's likely that you already are immune, though if you're not and you're already pregnant, it is not recommended to receive the vaccine since it contains attenuated live virus. If you believe you've been exposed to rubella, inform your practitioner immediately. If you have any other children, they can still be vaccinated against rubella during your pregnancy; this will put neither you nor your baby at risk, and it will save your children from having to worry about a rubella infection when they get older. From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
Was this article helpful? What complications may occur to a fetus and a child with rubella?Babies with congenital rubella are contagious for more than a year. If the fetus gets rubella during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, the baby will likely be born with many life-long problems. The most common are eye problems, hearing problems and damage to the heart.
What can happen rubella infection occurs in a pregnant mother during her 1st trimester?If you're pregnant and you develop rubella, especially during the first trimester, the virus can cause death or serious birth defects in the developing fetus. Rubella during pregnancy is the most common cause of congenital deafness. It's best to be protected against rubella before pregnancy.
Can rubella be transmitted from mother to fetus?Rubella spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Also, if a woman is infected with rubella while she is pregnant, she can pass it to her developing baby and cause serious harm.
How does rubella cause fetal abnormalities?Intracellular actin assembly is inhibited by rubella infection, leading to inhibition of mitosis and restricted development of precursor cells. Upregulation of cytokines and interferon in infected cells which could contribute to congenital defects.
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