Rubella and CMV Antibodies Screening During Pregnancy - A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Background: In India, RUBELLA & CMV Antibodies screening is routinely carried out, but due to absence of clear intervention, its value is questionable. This retrospective study evaluated the usefulness of rubella & cmv antibody screening during pregnancy. Methods: Blood is collected from pregnant women & children, tested for rubella and CMV specific IgM Antibody by capture ELISA. The data were analysed to determine the incidence of rubella &CMV infection during pregnancy & in congenital infections. Results: In asymptomatic pregnancy females (n=252) rubella positivity was 1.58% and in woman with BOH (n=110) it was 3.66%, while CMV passivity was 2.9% in both asymptomatic and BOH women. In children (n=100) the overall positivity for rubella and CMV specific IgM antibodies was 7.5% and 12.5% respectively. The incidence of rubella and CMV infections in pregnant women & women with BOH has declined. In children, also the congenital rubella syndrome has declined but for the past 5 years the incidence of CMV infection remained same without any change. Conclusions: The incidence of rubella over the past 5 years can be reduced after giving the rubella vaccine to school going girls & women with reproductive age apart from routine vaccine. But CMV infection is a big problem due to unavailability of vaccine & safe treatment against CMV infection, so routine screening for rubella and CMV should be reserved for women with obstetric complications only.