[Rubella infection during pregnancy. Results of serologic diagnosis 1975-1978].

The sera of 663 pregnant women with unknown immune status were tested for HI rubella antibodies between 1975 and 1978 because of exposure to rubella or presence of clinical symptoms. The majority of sera were from women in the first three months of pregnancy. Comparison of the distribution of antibody titers with those in a control group of 670 nonpregnant women of the same age showed no significant difference. The percentage of seronegative subjects was 8.6 in pregnant and 10.5 in nonpregnant women. Eighteen women (2.7%) became infected with rubella virus during pregnancy. Ten of these were devoid of rubella antibodies, representing 17.5% of the seronegatives. Diagnosis was confirmed by seroconversion and rise in antibody titer. The remaining 8 women had antibodies in the first blood specimen. Diagnosis was established by a fourfold or greater increase in titer or by the demonstration of rubella specific IgM-antibodies in a single specimen. It is of interest that almost all the pregnant women with rubella infection had clinical symptoms such as fever or exanthem. The results of this study show that the aim of complete rubella prophylaxis in women of childbearing age has not yet been achieved. It is therefore necessary to increase the uptake of rubella vaccine by schoolgirls and reduce the percentage of seronegative adult women by single vaccination and vaccination in the postpartum period.