Rubella

Abstract

Rubella, also called German measles or the 3-day measles, is a mild, self-limited infection in most individuals who acquire the infection after birth. A primary rubella infection during pregnancy, however, can cause significant problems for the fetus, including fetal death, miscarriage, or congenital anomalies. The teratogenic potential for rubella was first reported by Sir Norman Gregg, an ophthalmologist, in 1941 when he noted cataracts and congenital heart disease in a large number of newborns whose mothers had rubella during their pregnancy (1). An association between maternal rubella and birth defects was confirmed during the worldwide rubella pandemic that occurred between 1962 and 1964, when there were an estimated 12.5 million cases of rubella, 11,000 fetal deaths, and 20,000 newborns with congenital birth defects (2). The routine use of the rubella vaccine beginning in 1969 in the United States resulted in a marked decline in the incidence of rubella and congenital rubella in this country. However, sporadic cases continue to occur, particularly among individuals immigrating from countries in which rubella continues to be endemic.