Congenital rubella syndrome

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Congenital rubella syndrome
Cataracts due to congenital rubella syndrome
ICD-10	P35.0
ICD-9	771.0
DiseasesDB	11729
MedlinePlus	001658
MeSH	D012410

Overview

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) can occur in a developing fetus of a pregnant woman who has contracted rubella during her first trimester. Problems rarely occur when rubella is contracted by the mother after 20 weeks of gestation. In 1941 it was discovered by Australian Norman McAllister Gregg (1892-1966).

Complications

CRS can result in serious birth defects such as:

• malformations of the heart (especially patent ductus arteriosus), eyes or brain
• deafness
• 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
• hepatomegaly

Treatment

Children who have been exposed to rubella in the womb should also be watched closely as they age for any indication of the following:

• developmental delay
• growth retardation
• learning disabilities
• diabetes
• glaucoma