Primary rubella infection: Prevalence and relationship to pregnancy wastage

Objectives : To evaluate the prevalence of primary rubella infection in women with pregnancy wastage. Methods : The study included 150 pregnant women with obstetrical losses (Group 1) and 150 pregnant women without any obstetrical losses (group II). Serological evaluation for IgM antibodies was carried out by IgM ELISA method. Results : Seropositivity for rubella was 8.67% in group I and 2% in group II. Seropositivity was found to be associated with abortions (2.67%), congenital malformations (14.28%), still birth (10%), intrauterine death (7.69%), Preterm delivery (25%) and intrauterine growth retardation (33.33%). Conclusions : Seropositivity in women with obstetrical losses is statistically significant (p<0.05) as compared to those without any obstetrical losses. So routine screening of all pregnant women should be a part of antenatal check up.