Rubella is a contagious disease caused by a virus that is transmitted through the air. Fetal transmission through the
is possible when a pregnant woman contracts the disease.
The risk of congenital rubella
In case of transplacental passage of the virus during the first months of pregnancy, the risk of congenital malformations is very high (from 70% to 100%) when maternal rubella occurs before 11 weeks of amenorrhea; it varies from 15% to 80% between the 12th and the 18th week of
to become almost zero after this time. The transplacental passage of the virus can be responsible for:
- fetal death and miscarriage;
- malformative or asymptomatic congenital rubella.
Infection of the fetus can occur, even if the mother’s rubella goes unnoticed.
Congenital rubella can cause growth retardation, eye damage, deafness, limb paralysis, heart defects, and developmental disorders of the unborn child’s brain. It is all the more serious since it occurs early in pregnancy.
Monitoring pregnant women who are not immunized against rubella
Pregnant women are therefore subject to special medical surveillance. From the first examination of the pregnancy, the doctor should check whether his patient is immune to rubella by means of a blood test called “serology”.
Pregnant women who are not immune are monitored: a blood test scheduled before the 18th week of
makes it possible to verify the absence of seroconversion, ie the absence of contamination by the virus.
In the event of contact with a person suspected of having rubella, two serologies at 3 week intervals are carried out in pregnant women.
In the event of a primary rubella infection detected through serology, the pregnant woman is referred to a specialized center for additional assessment (fetal ultrasound, amniocentesis with search for the virus in the amniotic fluid) and medical follow-up.
Better to plan before pregnancy: vaccination against rubella during the preconception consultation
If you want to have a child and have not been vaccinated against rubella, it is recommended that you check that you are immunized by performing serology.
If you are not immune, you can be vaccinated before you become pregnant. Pregnancy should be avoided within two months of rubella vaccination.
Vaccination after childbirth for mothers not immunized against rubella
Catch-up vaccination is offered to any woman who is not immunized against rubella after giving birth.
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