Abstract

Objective: To estimate the frequency of Rubella seropositivity among pregnant women and thereby getting an estimate of seronegative women who should eventually be immunized against Rubella.
Subjects and Methods: A blood sample of 100 consecutive pregnant women coming for their first antenatal check-up at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, was collected in the year 2002. Enzyme-Linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to detect IgG antibodies against Rubella.
Results: Out of 100 pregnant women 61(61%) were positive for rubella (IgG antibodies) in the first trimester of pregnancy. Mean age of the study participants was 27 ± 3.27 years. Twenty-five (25%) women were primigravida, while 75 (75%) were multigravida. Majority of the women were housewives belonging to middle and lower middle socioeconomic class.
Conclusion: We found 61% women had positive Rubella antibodies during first antenatal visit. Nearly 40% who were negative should be immunized against rubella, preferably before conception. (Rawal Med J 2005;30:22-24).

Key words: Rubella, Immunization, Pakistan