Congenital rubella syndrome
Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) occurs when an unborn baby is infected with the rubella virus (German measles) via maternal-fetal transmission and develops birth defects. The most common congenital defects affect the ophthalmologic, cardiac, auditory, and neurologic systems.
| Congenital rubella syndrome | |
|---|---|
| White pupils due to congenital cataracts in a child with congenital rubella syndrome | |
| Specialty | Teratology |
Rubella infection in pregnancy can result in various outcomes ranging from asymptomatic infection to congenital defects to miscarriage and fetal death. If infection occurs 0–11 weeks after conception, the infant has a 90% risk of being affected. If the infection occurs 12–20 weeks after conception, the risk is 20%. Infants are not generally affected if rubella is contracted during the third trimester. Diagnosis of congenital rubella syndrome is made through a series of clinical and laboratory findings and management is based on the infant's clinical presentation. Maintaining rubella outbreak control via vaccination is essential in preventing congenital rubella infection and congenital rubella syndrome.
Congenital rubella syndrome was discovered in 1941 by Australian Norman McAlister Gregg.