Ringel rubella during pregnancy

Introduction

Ringel rubella is an inherently harmless disease that is common in the population. However, it can be dangerous for the unborn child during pregnancy. If a pregnant woman is infected with the parvovirus B19, the causative agent of rubella, the disease is passed on to the child via the placenta in every third case and can cause damage.

The virus attacks precursors of the red blood cells and can thus cause anaemia in the baby. Through a blood test, the doctor can determine whether an infection with Ringel rubella has already occurred once in a lifetime. If this is the case, it means lifelong immunity against the virus.

So dangerous is rubella in the pregnancy

The first trimester of pregnancy is equal to the first three months of pregnancy. During the first weeks of pregnancy, many expectant mothers do not yet know about the pregnancy and therefore do not take any increased precautions or precautions. In the first trimester of pregnancy, rubella infection is unfortunately associated with an increased rate of miscarriage.

It has been found that in 30% of pregnant women, the disease is passed on to the unborn child. About 10% of these children who become infected with the rubella virus during pregnancy die before they are born. The second trimester of pregnancy refers to the months 4-6 and if the pregnant woman is infected with Ringel rubella during this time, in the worst case this can damage the unborn child.

Especially in this period one fears the complications of anemia, which the virus can cause in the child. In the worst case, this causes a hydrops fetalis, a dangerous accumulation of fluid in the cavities of the baby’s body. It can also lead to heart inflammation with weakening of the heart.

The third and last trimester of pregnancy is in the 7-9 month of pregnancy. Women who fall ill during this time do not have to fear any harm to their child. In principle, the growth of the child can slow down, but deformities are not described. 95% of complications occur in the 12 weeks after the infection of the child.