Congenital Rubella Syndrome in Sweden

As a part of the last European Monthly Measles Monitoring Report, there was a concern that in addition to measles, rising cases of rubella (also called German measles) might lead to rising cases of congenital rubella syndrome.

They already have their first case, less then two weeks since that report.

Sweden is reporting their first case of congenital rubella syndrome in 30 years. The baby, born premature, has a variety of birth defects, as is typical for for a baby born with congenital rubella syndrome.

According to the World Health Organization, the rubella virus "can often lead to serious and sometimes fatal complications in the fetus when an unprotected woman acquires the infection early in pregnancy (congenital rubella infection) or to congenital rubella syndrome in newborns." Birth defects can include deafness, cataracts, cardiac problems, and neurologic abnormalities, including microcephaly and mental retardation.

In one of the last rubella epidemics in the United States, in 1964, there were 12.5 million cases of rubella and 20,000 cases of congenital rubella syndrome, including 11,600 babies who were born deaf, 3,580 blind, and 1,800 mentally retarded. There were also 2,100 neonatal deaths.

Fortunately, the first rubella vaccine was licensed in 1969 and the incidence of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome dropped rapidly afterwards.

Worldwide, rubella cases had recently been dropping, thanks to increase use of rubella containing vaccines in more countries. In 2009, the WHO reported a 57% increase in countries vaccinating against rubella and an 82% decrease in cases of rubella. Hopefully nothing gets in the way of that progress.

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