Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Rubella infection of a pregnant woman may end with serious adverse outcome depending on gestational age at time of infection. Congenital rubella infection may cause various disabilities in addition to increased risk of many diseases in future life. Vaccination in childhood is an effective method of prevention of this disease.
OBJECTIVE:
To assess susceptibility of a sample of pregnant women in Falluja city to rubella infection.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
From May to August 2017, 95 pregnant women attending private clinic in Falluja city were included in cross sectional study to assess rubella IgM and IgG antibodies using ELISA kits and ELFA technique respectively.
RESULTS:
None of the pregnant women found to have IgM antibodies. Rubella IgG serum level varies from 0- 400 IU/ml. Of 97 pregnant women included in this study, 23 (24.2%) were non-immune to rubella having IgG level less than 10 IU/ml. There was no significant association between age, parity or history of previous abortion with IgG level.
CONCLUSION:
Congenital rubella infection is a probable hidden health problem. Routine screening of pregnant women and vaccination of susceptible women after delivery should be applied in all health care institutions.