ABSTRACT
Background and Purpose: Rubella is a member of togaviridate viruses, with minor morbidity in children. Rubella infection during pregnancy causes various malformations including congenital cataract. Immunity against it is, therefore, important in girls before marriage and it is recommended in girls without antirubella antibody in some countries. This study is intended to determine the anti-rubella immunity in premarriage girls in Sabzevar, Iran
Methods and Materials: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 186 pre-marriage girls in Sabzevar, Iran to determine serological anti-rubella [IgG and IgM] using ELISA. NOVUM DIAGNOSTICA Kit was used for tests and SPSS for data analysis
Results: 172 girls [92.5%] were positive and 14 girls [7.5%] negative, i.e. high risk group.152 girls [81.7%] already infected with rubella were now positive and 11 girls [5.9%] negative
Conclusion: Subjects' age and IgG antibody did not show any significant relationships while a significant relationship was found between exposure to rubella and IgG [p<0.0019]; in other words, 81.7% of the IgGpositive cases were already exposed to rubella and 5.9% of the cases with history of rubella were IgG negative. Therefore, the high risk group is recommended to be vaccinated prior to pregnancy to prevent the risk of congenital rubella syndrome