A Study on Seroprevalence of Rubella Specific Antibody among the Pregnant Women of Epidemic area in Korea - in Kyongju, Pohang -

Kim, S M; Kim, D K; Kang, M A; Hwang, J S; Bae, C S; Yoon, H W; Sim, J C; Ha, K I

Abstract

This study was focused on figuring out the positive rate of rubella antibody on pregnant women in epidemic area. This research was carried out from Mar., 1996 to Oct., 1996 on 303 pregnant women in Kyongju and Pohang, the epidemic area of rubella. The presence of rubella antibody was checked by ELISA method with sera collected from the first prenatal check. Also, the demographic characteristics, the history of natural infection of rubella and vaccination, and the results of pregnancy were reviewed with charts. The results obtained were summarized as followings; 1. The overall positive rates of rubella specific IgG antibody and IgM antibody were 68.6% and 1.3%, respectively. 2. The positive rate of rubella specific IgG antibody was 77.2% in Pohang and 63.5% in Kyongju which was statistically significant. 3. There were no stastically significant differences of the positive rates of rubella specific IgG antibody according to education level, occupation of gravidas, parity, at the time of examination, and gestational age. 4. There were two cases of congenital malformations associated with rubella. One case was intrauterine fetal death, who had retinal detachment and inflammatory granulation tissue and carditis. The other case was consistent with congenital rubella syndrome such as focal myocarditis and ophthalmitis in arbotus at 12weeks gestational age. We observed a low positive rate of rubella specific IgG antibody in the epidemic area as compared with non-epidemic area which means rubella occurs epidemically in a low immunity population. In order to prevent epidemic rubella infection and congenital rubella syndrome, the rubella vaccination should be given to all early reproductive women especially female high school students.