Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) can occur in a developing fetus of a pregnant woman who has contracted rubella during her first trimester. Problems rarely occur when rubella is contracted by the mother after 20 weeks of gestation.
CRS can result in serious birth defects such as:
- malformations of the heart, eyes or brain
- deafness
- spleen, liver or bone marrow problems (some of which may disappear shortly after birth)
- mental retardation
- developmental delay
- growth retardation
- learning disabilities
- diabetes