Affiliations: Department of Paediatrics, University of
Calabar/Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria | WHO State Office, Calabar, Cross River State,
Nigeria | Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of
Calabar/Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria | Central Public Laboratory, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
Note: [] Corresponding author: Atana U. Ewa, Department of Paediatrics,
University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar, Nigeria. Tel.: +234
8037214259; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The clinical diagnosis of rubella is unreliable as the symptoms are
often confused with other viral and non-viral exanthematic illnesses. Acquired
forms are self-limiting whereas the congenital type has devastating
consequences on the foetus. The aim of this study is to highlight rubella
infections in children and to draw to the attention of relevant authorities the
need for routine rubella immunization for children and women of childbearing
ages. This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted from February to
December 2012. Thirty five children aged 2 to 18 years, were referred to
selected health facilities in Calabar following reports of symptoms of fever
and skin rash, clinically resembling measles. The demographic data of the
children were obtained. Blood was collected from each child and sent for
measles and rubella IgM ELISA. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16. Of the
35 children with fever and skin rash, 22 were males while 13 were females
(1.7:1). Fourteen (40%) of the children were found to be IgM seropositive
for rubella. Five (35.7%) of rubella IgM seropositive children were less
than five years of age while 7 (50%) were 5–10 years old. There was no
significant difference in the seropositivity for rubella IgM antibody according
to age and sex of the patients and (P=12.5). Only one child (2.8%) was
positive for measles IgM. Acute rubella infection is clinically
indistinguishable from measles and is confirmed to be present in Calabar,
Nigeria. We therefore advocate for routine immunisation of children and women
of childbearing ages to prevent the damaging effects of rubella to the unborn baby.
