Prevalence of rubella IgG antibodies in pregnant women of São Lucas Hospital of PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil <b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

Aims: To determine the prevalence of rubella IgG antibody in pregnant women at São Lucas Hospital, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study from April 2004 to June 2004 of 577 pregnant women attending the antenatal care facilities and the obstetric center. The rubella IgG antibodies were detected in the serum of the pregnant women using a commercial immunoassay technique. Results: The prevalence of rubella antibody in the 577 pregnant women who participated of this study was 95% (95% CI: 93%-97%). Conclusions: This study address the prevalence of rubella virus infection among pregnant women, and deal with the still underestimated public health problem of congenital rubella syndrome in Brazil. Additional research in diferent areas of the country is recommend, because the prevalence of imunity may vary from place to place. KEY WORDS: RUBELLA/epidemiology; PRENATAL CARE; PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS, INFECTIOUS; PREGNANCY; RUBELLA/congenital; RUBELLA VIRUS/immunology.