Abstract:
The main aim of this study was to serodetect of rubella IgM antibodies of newborn
babies using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Umbilical cord
blood samples were collected from a total of 92 normal vaginal deliveries inside
the labor room by experienced midwives of Omdurman Maternity Hospital. Out of
the 92 newborn babies 35 were males (38%) and 57 were females (62%) and their
mother’s age range from 17-37 years. However, 17 newborn babies (18.5%) had <
2.5 kg weight, 74 (80.4%) had 2.5 – 4 kg weight and 1(1.1%) had >4 kg weight.
Out of 92 cord blood samples examined by the 4 th generation ELISA 7(7.6%) were
positive to anti-rubella IgM and 85(92.4%) were negative. It was found that 2
males (5.7%) and 5 females newborn babies (8.8%) were anti- rubella IgM
positive and there was no significant association between gender and IgM result (p
> 0.05). Out of 7 IgM positive newborns, 2 babies had low birth weight (< 2.5 kg)
(11.8%), 5 babies have normal birth weight (2.5–4 kg) (6.8%) and no significant
association between them (p > 0.05). The result also showed that out of 7 anti-
rubella IgM positive babies, 6 mothers (7.1%) with less than 5 pregnancies and
one mother (12.5%) with more than 5 pregnancies showing that no significant
association of number of pregnancies and anti rubella IgM result (p > 0.05). In
addition, while 6 mothers (7.5 %) were found with no history of abortion, only one
mother (8.3%) with history of abortion revealing no significant association of
abortion and anti-rubella IgM (p > 0.05). This study showed high frequency of
CRI among newborns, although incidence of rubella infection was reduced
worldwide. No evidence of rubella defects has been observed in newborn babies;
therefore, birth weight of newborns was not affected. History of abortion and .number of pregnancies of the mothers were not major risk factors of CRI
