Correlation immunoglobulin M antibody of rubella with hearing loss in infants suspected congenital rubella syndrome

Abstract

Background: Rubella is caused by the rubella virus that transmits through droplets or direct contact that can cause congenital defects such as hearing loss. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) rubella can be detected in infants under 1 year of age with suspected congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Objectives: This study was to analyze the correlation between hearing loss with IgM rubella in infants. Methods: This was an observational analytic study with a retrospective in infants <1 year of age with suspected CRS. Medical records and CRS surveillance data of subjects who came to the Otorhinolaryngology Outpatient Clinic, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2017, were collected. The data were grouped based on age, gender, place of residence, clinical symptoms, hearing examination (otoacoustic emission and automated auditory brainstem response), IgM and IgG examination, and CRS classification. Results: Total patients were 171 patients with the highest number of patients was the 0-3 years age group as many as 136 patients (79.5%) and girls patient more than boys as many as 88 patients (51.5%). The most clinical symptom of CRS was 24-hr postpartum jaundice were 111 patients (74.4%). The serological Rubella IgG were positive results with a total patient were 140 (81.9%) and Rubella IgM results were negative with 141 (82.5%). The most CRS case criteria were non-CRS with 78 patients (45.6%). There was correlation of hearing loss with IgM rubella in infants <1-year with suspected CRS and statistical results p= 0.03. Conclusion: IgM rubella correlates to clinical symptoms of hearing loss in infants <1 year of age with suspected CRS.