Congenital rubella syndrome: ophthalmic manifestations and associated systemic disorders.

+Author Affiliations

Department of Ophthalmology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA.

Abstract

Congenital rubella syndrome has a wide variety of severe ophthalmic and systemic complications. A worldwide rubella epidemic from 1963 to 1965 affected thousands of infants. This is a 20 year follow up study of patients with congenital rubella syndrome analysing the prevalence of ophthalmic disorders, associated systemic problems, and correlations among these defects. The authors statistically analysed 125 cases of congenital rubella seen in the Mayo clinic ophthalmology department over a 32 year interval. Most patients were young adults. Ocular disease was the most commonly noted disorder (78%), followed by sensorineural hearing deficits (66%), psychomotor retardation (62%), cardiac abnormalities (58%), and mental retardation (42%). Multiorgan disease was typical (88%). Ocular disease and hearing loss were frequently associated (53% had both) but not significantly correlated. A similar association existed between ocular and cardiac disease. Cataracts and microphthalmia were significantly correlated with poor visual acuity (each p < p =" 0.0002)" p =" 0.0024)">