The most common defects of CRS are hearing impairment and deafness, eye defects (cataracts, congenital glaucoma or pigmentary retinopathy) and cardiac defects. Infected infants can shed high amounts of rubella virus from body secretions for up to one year, thus potentially causing outbreaks.

What does congenital rubella syndrome do?

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is an illness in infants that results from maternal infection with rubella virus during pregnancy. When rubella infection occurs during early pregnancy, serious consequences–such as miscarriages, stillbirths, and a constellation of severe birth defects in infants–can result.

What virus causes congenital rubella syndrome?

Congenital rubella syndrome is caused by a virus known as a rubivirus. When adults and children contract the disease, it is known as rubella, or German measles. If a pregnant woman contracts rubella during her first trimester, there is a very good chance that she will pass it on to her fetus.

Is rubella a Togavirus?

The rubella virus, a togavirus of the genus Rubivirus, is an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus with a single serotype that does not cross-react with other togaviruses. Humans are the only known host, with seasonal epidemics occurring every 5-9 years over a worldwide distribution.

Are babies with congenital rubella contagious?

It is a highly contagious but generally mild disease, and most cases do not lead to significant consequences. However, maternal infection during the first trimester of pregnancy can cause a fetal malformation syndrome known as congenital rubella syndrome.

What family do rubella virus belong?

Rubella virus is an enveloped, positive-stranded RNA virus classified as a Rubivirus in the Matonaviridae family.

How does rubella cause fetal abnormalities?

The birth defects of CRS occur because the rubella virus impacts certain cell populations during development. Increased cell death may also cause many affected fetuses and infants to be born with lower birth weights (intrauterine growth restrictions) than the gestational norms.

Is congenital rubella infectious?