[Congenital rubella syndrome in infants treated at a pediatrics hospital].

UNLABELLED: Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) has been considered an uncommon problem in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze and describe clinical features of CRS cases in infants from a pediatric hospital in Mexico City during an 8 year period.

DESIGN

retrospective study. Patients younger than 18 months of age with a positive serologic test for IgG and IgM rubella antibodies were included. Antibodies were measured by an immunoenzymatic microparticles assay.

RESULTS

Fifty-six cases were identified, 42 complete clinical records were available for review. Of these, 23 (54.7%) were female and 19 (45.3%) male. Median for age was five months. A total of 9/42 mothers (21%) had history of rash during pregnancy. IgM antibodies were detected in 15 infants and IgG in 27. Major manifestations were ocular (74%), neurologic (66%), and congenital heart disease (67%). Congenital cataracts were detected in 69%, in 52% hepatomegaly, in 43% jaundice, in 40% anemia, in 48% thrombocytopenia, and hearing loss 19%.

CONCLUSION

Five confirmed cases with CRS per year in one hospital indicate a high frequency. Only a small percentage of women had a history of rash during pregnancy. CRS must be investigated in infants with ocular, neurologic, and congenital heart diseases.