Paediatrics

Rubella

Usually mild rubella causes a fine maculopapular rash and posterior lymphadenopathy, but infection in early pregnancy can cause congenital rubella syndrome, making prevention and urgent pregnancy assessment central.

Definition

Rubella is a usually mild viral infection caused by rubella virus, but infection during pregnancy can injure the developing fetus.

First principles

Mild maternal disease can still be high-risk for the fetus

Rubella is often asymptomatic or mild in the infected person. The major clinical consequence is transplacental infection in pregnancy, with risk of miscarriage or congenital rubella syndrome greatest early in gestation.

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