Rubella and congenital rubella syndrome - United States, 1985-1988

Article Abstract:

The incidence of rubella (German measles) in the United States has declined by more than 99 percent since the introduction of the rubella vaccine in 1969. Long-term trends have shown that the greatest decreases have been among people younger than 20 years old. Statistics are also available on the congenital rubella syndrome (CRS); declines in CRS have paralleled the overall decrease in the incidence of rubella. The illness caused by CRS in infants is currently considered unacceptable. The primary focus of the rubella vaccination program has been on young children, the main source of transmission, in order to reduce the chance that pregnant women will be exposed. The secondary focus was on adolescents and adults. As immunized children enter the childbearing years, CRS should be eliminated totally, however this may not occur as quickly as expected. It is believed that the reported CRS figures are low, actually representing only 10 percent of cases. The levels of rubella immunization in the childbearing population must be increased. Adoption and enforcement of regulations requiring immunization of all school children from kindergarten to twelfth grade, and proof of immunization for admission to college, will reduce rubella outbreaks in these groups. Women of childbearing age should be offered rubella vaccination at any health-care encounter. One-third to one-half of all mothers of CRS babies had given birth previously. This suggests that if rubella vaccinations are needed and given at postpartum visits or in family-planning clinics, this could have a significant impact on the incidence of CRS. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Rubella vaccines

---

A profile of mothers giving birth to infants with congenital rubella syndrome: an assessment of risk factors

Article Abstract:

With the development of the rubella vaccine, the incidence of this disease has declined significantly. In 1987, there were only 306 cases of rubella reported in the United States. However, to completely eliminate congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in infants, it is necessary to identify the risk factors associated with delivery of a CRS-affected infant. A study was made of CRS cases in children that were reported to the National Congenital Rubella Syndrome Registry (NCRSR) and to the Birth Defects Monitoring Program (BDMP) between 1970 and 1985. Virtually all of the mothers giving birth to CRS babies were not immunized against the disease. It was also determined that these mothers were disproportionately younger than the average age of mothers giving birth in the United States. About 25 percent of the CRS mothers were black, higher than the 16 percent total national average of black births in this country. The risk of delivering a CRS baby was approximately 2.5 times greater for blacks than for whites. Primiparous mothers (women who had given birth only once) were two times more likely to produce CRS-affected children than mothers who had more than one child. Older women who had a previous live birth were at lower risk for CRS. Efforts must be made to identify women at high risk and to provide immunization. Schools, work places, and family planning clinics are excellent settings for prevention programs. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

---

Measles, mumps, and rubella antibodies in vaccinated Baltimore children

Article Abstract:

Antibody levels tend to drop off with increasing age since vaccination in children not exposed to natural infection. Previous studies have found that antibody levels remain fairly stable over time following vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella in people living in areas where the diseases are prevalent. Between 1974 and 1990, Baltimore, MD reported an average 1.5 cases of measles per year and an average zero cases of rubella per year. However, an average of 22.5 cases of mumps were reported annually in the same period. Antibody levels for measles were measured in 170 vaccinated Baltimore children, and antibody levels for mumps and rubella were measured in 168 of them. Levels of antibody to measles and rubella declined as time since vaccination increased. The decline in antibody levels was most pronounced among younger children and tapered off among children aged 10 to 16. However, antibody levels to mumps did not decline with age. This suggests that exposure to naturally circulating mumps virus serves to maintain mumps antibody levels.

Measurement, Physiological aspects, Vaccination, Viral antibodies

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Surveillance for occupational lead exposure - United States, 1987. The lead-exposed worker
• Abstracts: Intravenous drug abuse and one academic health center. Tuberculosis and homelessness in the United States, 1994-2003
• Abstracts: Trauma registries; current status and future prospects. National survey of trauma registries - United States, 1987
• Abstracts: Earthquake associated deaths - California. Decline in Deaths From Heart Disease and Stroke--United States, 1900-1999
• Abstracts: National medical response to mass disasters in the United States: are we prepared? Glucocorticoid treatment does not improve neurological recovery following cardiac arrest

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.