Congenital Rubella

Also known as: congenital rubella syndrome.

What is congenital rubella?

Rubella is a virus that causes a disease commonly known as the German measles. When the virus is passed to an unborn fetus by the mother, this is known as congenital rubella.

What causes congenital rubella?

The rubella virus is the cause of the disease. Expecting mothers are most likely to pass the virus to the unborn baby within the first 3 months of pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of congenital rubella?

Developmental delays, fatigue, deafness, eye problems, low birth weight, small head size, seizures and skin rashes are all possible symptoms of congenital rubella.

What are congenital rubella care options?

Congenital rubella cannot be cured but can be prevented with the Mumps vaccine which is part of the MMR vaccine which first dose is given between 12-15 months of age and the booster is given between the ages of 4-6 years of age.

Childbearing women who are unsure about their immune status can request to be tested for prove of immunity. Those newborns with neurological sequela of congenital Mumps benefit from physical, occupational and speech therapy.


Reviewed by: P. Marcelo Laufer, MD

This page was last updated on: November 18, 2021 10:29 AM

NICU: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, is proud to serve as a regional, national, and international referral center, receiving critically ill newborns from throughout South Florida and Latin America.

Learn More