Final Report of a Prospective Study of Children whose Mothers had Rubella in Early Pregnancy

Abstract

A controlled prospective inquiry regarding mothers who had rubella during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy was begun during 1950-2. Three follow-up medical examinations of the children resulting from these pregnancies were carried out, the first at 2 years (259 children), the second between 3 and 6 years (237 children), and the third between 8 and 11 years (227 children). The results of the first 2 examinations were published by Manson, Logan, and Loy (1960). This paper reports the final outcome of the inquiry, with special reference to the findings of the 3 examinations. Major abnormalities, mainly of the eye, ear, and heart, occurred in 15% of the children, 8% having more than one abnormally. Minor abnormalities were present in the further 16%, 4% having more than one abnormality. These are outside estimates, as it is possible that some of the abnormalities discovered were due to causes other than maternal rubella. The distribution of intelligence among the children was normal. The need for long-term follow-up and periodic full reassessment of children known to be at risk from maternal rubella during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy was clearly demonstrated.