Congenital rubella infection


Clinical features

  • Intrauterine rubella infection: miscarriage, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction (especially likely if infection occurs during the first trimester)
  • Congenital rubella syndrome
    • Triad of congenital rubella syndrome
      • Cardiac defect: most common defect (e.g., patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary artery stenosis)
      • Cataracts: Other eye manifestations may also occur later in life, including glaucoma and salt and pepper retinopathy (abnormal retinal pigmentation)
      • Cochlear defect: bilateral sensorineural hearing loss
    • Early features
      • Hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice
      • Hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia
      • Petechiae and purpura, i.e., blueberry muffin rash (due to extramedullary hematopoiesis in the skin)
    • Late features
      • CNS defects: microcephaly, intellectual disability, panencephalitis
      • Skeletal abnormalities

Mnemonic

CCC-Triad of congenital rubella syndrome: Cataracts, Cochlear defects, Cardiac abnormality