Serodetection of Rubella IgM Antibodies among Newborns delivered at Omdurman Maternity Hospital

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