Congenital rubella syndrome in a child born to Liberian refugees: clinical and public health perspectives.
We describe a case of congenital rubella syndrome with typical stigmata in an infant born in New Hampshire to Liberian refugees. The infant's clinical specimens were tested for rubella. Rubella immunity status was sought for contacts. The infant's specimen cultures grew wild-type rubella virus; serum immunoglobulin M and G were positive. Eighteen of 20 contacts were rubella-immune. Family's transit history, mother's vaccination history, and infant's estimated gestational age supported congenital infection acquired overseas. Clinicians should maintain vigilance for congenital rubella syndrome in infants with relevant stigmata, particularly those whose mothers are from countries with nonexistent or recently implemented rubella vaccination programs.
Plotinsky
Rachel N
RN
Division of Public Health Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Concord, NH, USA.
Talbot
Elizabeth A
EA
Kellenberg
Joan E
JE
Reef
Susan E
SE
Buseman
Sandra K
SK
Wright
Karen D
KD
Modlin
John F
JF
D044383:Black People; D016358:Contact Tracing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007988:Liberia / Q000208:ethnology; D009513:New Hampshire / Q000453:epidemiology; D011634:Public Health; D012036:Refugees; D012410:Rubella Syndrome, Congenital / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012411:Rubella Vaccine / Q000276:immunology; D001741:Black or African American
D012411:Rubella Vaccine