Rubella Immunity Status in Pregnancy and Incidence of Congenital Rubella Syndrome: Ten Years of Observation in Trento Province

Abstract

Introduction: The rubella test in pregnancy it is a recommended practice for all women. This makes it possible to identify situations at risk of congenital rubella and the pregnant women to be offered vaccination in the puerperium. Materials and methods: The Authors analysed rubella test coverage and the immunity status of pregnant mothers between 2010 and 2019, using birth attendance certificates. The factors associated with a susceptibility state to rubella are also analyzed through a multivariate analysis, according to the logistic model. The incidence of congenital rubella syndrome is also estimated. Results: Rubella test coverage on 44,473 pregnant mothers was 99.8%. The average proportion of susceptible subjects was 7.42% (6.5 in Italians, 9.9 in foreigners). The trend of susceptible subjects grows over time. Seroconversion was observed in 7 cases, with 1 confirmed case of congenital rubella. Young age, being a foreigner, residing outside the province of Trento, not being married, having a low level of education and being a primiparous are independent risk factors for a state of susceptibility to rubella in pregnant women. Conclusions: A current information flow such as that guaranteed by the birth attendance certificates allows for monitoring of pregnancy at the population level. In particular, it is also possible to identify women at risk of rubella who should be offered the vaccine before discharge.