Objective: Rubella virus causes intrauterin infections in pregnant women and it is teratogenic for fetus. Detecting sensitivity for Rubella virus by screening tests before or during pregnancy is important for preventing unwanted fetal and perinatal infections. In this study, women of childbearing age who admitted to Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medical Faculty were analyzed retrospectively for rubella seropositivity according to the distribution of age groups.
Material and Methods: Materials and methods: Rubella IgG antibody levels of 2151 women who were admitted to various clinics in our hospital between 1 January 2013- 31 December 2015 were determined by ELFA method and investigated by separating into age groups.
Results: Of the women, 567 were (26.3%) found to be in 18-25 age group, 1143 (53.6%) were in 26-35 age group and 441 were (20.5%) in 36-45 age group. In women 's age groups of 18-25, 26-35 and 36-45 years, the number of rubella IgG positivity and the rates were detected as 551 (97.1%), 1075 (94.0%) and 394 (89.4%) respectively. Of the total 2151 samples, 2020 (93.9%) were found to be positive for rubella IgG antibody. 1259 samples were sent from pregnancy clinics and 1169 (92.8%) of the samples were found to be positive for Rubella IgG.
Conclusion: In our study rubella seroprevalence among women of childbearing age in Konya is found to be high. Ensuring immunity to rubella virus by increasing the rate of seropositivity in women of childbearing age before pregnancy will be effective in preventing congenital rubella infection. It is pleasant that there is high immunity in our province but women who are seronegative should be detected and should be vaccinated before pregnancy for preventing congenital infection.
Key words: Rubella; Seroprevalence; Fertility Population.
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