[Frequency of antibodies against rubella virus in puerperium women].
BACKGROUND
The significance of clinical and epidemiological rubella lies in its teratogenic effects on fetus; thus, rubella and congenital rubella represent great public health problems.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of antibodies against rubella virus in early puerperium women, and to identify factors related to the absence of immunity against it.


METHODS
During the period 2000-2002, a cross-sectional study was conducted. Women in puerperium period, residents of urban and rural areas of Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico, were included. Women were interviewed and asked about factors that have been associated with the absence of immunity against rubella virus such as age, schooling, number of gestations, and residence area. We collected a blood sample between 1 and 6 hours after delivery, and anti-rubella IgG was determined.


RESULTS
396 patients aged 24 +/- 6 years were studied. The frequency of antibodies against rubella virus was of 87% (CI 95% 84-90). The factors related to the absence of antibodies against rubella were: number of gestations and schooling; patients whose pregnancy was the first or second gestation had a smaller frequency of antibodies against rubella virus (84%) compared to those with two previous gestations (95%, p = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
The observed frequency of antibodies of rubella virus in this population is smaller than the informed one in industrialized countries. It is recommended to reinforce procedures of vaccination for susceptible women and after delivery, in order to prevent the infection consequences, as well as routinely carry out tests for detection of antibodies against rubella like protocol of premarital study.
Sagarnaga Durante
Desirée
D
Unidad de Medicina Familiar 33, IMSS, Chihuahua, México.
Delgado Monge
Cecilia
C
Sáenz Flores
Guadalupe
G
Tufiño Olivares
Edith
E
Levario Carrillo
Margarita
M
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period; D012412:Rubella virus / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; C040901:rubella antibodies