Seroprevalance of Rubella Antibodies Among Pregnant Women in a Regional Maternity Hospital in Eastern Turkey

Abstract

Objective: The rubella virus is capable causing severe complications including still birth miscarriage, preterm labor, growth deficiency, congenital malformation, blindness, cardiac defects, central nervous system abnormalities, and congenital cataract and hearing loss. The purpose of this study was to investigate rubella seroprevalence in pregnant women presenting to our hospital for routine antenatal examination, to investigate rubella seroprevalence in pregnant women presenting to our hospital for routine antenatal examination, to compare our results with those fromother countries, and to contribute to the literature by discussing opinions conecerning rubella screening in gravidas with data from 27,465 patients. Material and Methods: This retrospective study involved anti-rubella IgM and IgG screening results of first trimester gravidas aged 17-45 presenting to our hospital for antenatal examination in 2013-2016. Data were collected from the hospital's electronic records system and patients files. Rubella antibody levels were determined using commercially available ELISA kits(ALISEI SEAC, ITAI). Anti-rubella IgM-positive cases were also evaluated using the avidity test. Results were analyzed using the SSPS 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA) data analysis system. Results:Rubella IgM antibody positivity was determined in 205 (0.8%) of 27,465 gravidas whose anti-RubellalgM status was investigated,and positive values were observed in 16,526 (96%)of 17,186 cases subjected to anti-rubella IgG antibody analysis. Anti-rubella avidity tests avidity in 92.7% of patients, low avidity in 3.4% avidity, and intermediate avidity in 3.9%. Conclusion: We think that rubella virus screening during pregnancy is essential,and that the best means of reducing the adverse effects of rubella virus would be to provide full immunization before pregnancy for girls of child-bearing age.