Neurological Abnormalities in Congenital Rubella Syndrome and Possible Pathophysiology

Abstract

Background: Congenital rubella syndrome is a disease that is a relative severe health problem because it causes multiorgan disability. The purpose of the study was to describe the neurological abnormallities that occur in congenital rubella syndrome and its pathophysiology.Case Presentation: A descriptive study with the subjects of the study of infants and children with congenital rubella syndrome found in the private practice of pediatricians for 10 years aged 1-5 years with the most complaints of developmental and growth delays, recurrent seizures and behavioral disorders. most are first children with mothers without Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccination. Inclusion criteria: infants and children with clinical manifestations of at least 2 of all major clinical signs (hearing loss, congenital cataracts and congenital heart defects) accompanied by evidence of infection in the form of rubella-specific serum IgM and a history of the mother experiencing infection during pregnancy as evidenced by IgG results and or IgM rubella antibodies.Results: 13 cases were obtained, 92.3% of the case population with multi-organ disability and only 1 case (7.69%) with neurological disorders alone. 84.6% of cases of neurological disability occurred as a result of infection in the 1 st trimester. Conclusion:Neurological abnormalities were acquired in the entire study population and were mostly due to infections in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.