Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz
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Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz · Jan 2004
[Antibodies against vaccine-preventable diseases in pregnant women and their offspring. Measles, mumps, rubella, poliomyelitis, and varicella].
In the eastern part of Germany, the age of primigravid women has clearly increased since 1990. This may change the protection provided by antibodies in pregnant women as well as their newborns. The objective of the present study was to assess antibodies against vaccine-preventable viral infectious diseases in pregnant women and their offspring to draw conclusions about their protection. ⋯ It is suggested that the prevalence of antibodies against measles and poliomyelitis is insufficient to protect the newborns efficiently. An immunity gap of 13% against rubella in mothers results in a potential risk for a congenital rubella syndrome in newborns. Despite the high seroprevalence of rubella and chickenpox, there is considerable potential for infections during pregnancy and neonatal period.