title: Rubella vaccination of unknowingly pregnant women: the São Paulo experience, 2001.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rubella vaccination is contraindicated during pregnancy. During mass immunization of women of childbearing age against rubella, women unknowingly pregnant may be vaccinated. To evaluate the effects of rubella vaccination during pregnancy, the Brazilian state of São Paulo conducted a follow-up study of pregnant women vaccinated during a rubella campaign in 2001.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women vaccinated during pregnancy were reported to a national surveillance system. In the state of São Paulo, follow-up of vaccinated women included household interviews. Serum samples from vaccinated women were tested for antirubella antibodies to classify susceptibility to rubella infection. Children born to susceptible mothers were tested for evidence of congenital rubella infection and evaluated for signs of congenital rubella syndrome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The São Paulo State Health Department received 6473 notifications of women vaccinated during pregnancy. Serology performed for 5580 women identified 811 (15%) that were previously susceptible. Incidence of spontaneous abortion or stillbirth among previously susceptible vaccinated women was similar to women with prior immunity. Twenty-seven (4.7%) of 580 newborns tested had evidence of congenital rubella infection; none had congenital rubella syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mass rubella vaccination of women of childbearing age was not associated with adverse birth outcomes or congenital rubella syndrome among children born to women vaccinated during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Immunization Division, São Paulo State Health Department, São Paulo, Brazil. hsato@cve.saude.sp.gov.br
authors.forename: Helena K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Andrea Torres
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Sanajotta
authors.forename: José Cássio
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Moraes
authors.forename: Joelma Queiróz
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Geraldo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Maria Célia
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cervi
authors.forename: Sueli P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Curti
authors.forename: Cláudio Sérgio
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Pannuti
authors.forename: Helaine
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Milanez
authors.forename: Mônica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pessoto
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Flannery
authors.forename: Gabriel W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Oselka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D012409:Rubella / Q000151:congenital* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012411:Rubella Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D012411:Rubella Vaccine