Congenital rubella syndrome historical perspective

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Dima Nimri, M.D. [2]

Originally, rubella was referred to as the third disease, because it was thought to branch from measles or Scarlet fever. However, in 1814, it was recognized as a separate entity of disease and became known as German measles.^[1][2] In 1941, congenital rubella syndrome was recognized as a complication of rubella infection among pregnant women who became infected with the virus early in their pregnancy.^[1][2] An Australian ophthalmologist made the connection and reported 78 cases of congenital cataract among infants born to mothers who had a rubella infection early in their pregnancy.^[1][2]

• Originally, rubella was referred to as the third disease, because it was thought to branch from measles or Scarlet fever. However, in 1814, it was recognized as a separate entity of disease and became known as German measles.^[1][2]
• It was not until 1941 that congenital rubella syndrome became recognized as a complication of rubella infection among pregnant women who became infected with the virus early in their pregnancy.^[1][2]
• This connection was made by the Australian ophthalmologist, Norman Gregg, who reported 78 cases of congenital cataract among pregnant women who were infected with rubella virus during the early phases of their pregnancy.^[1][2]
• Rubella virus was first isolated from tissue in 1962.^[2]

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