Summary

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), caused by rubella virus infection during pregnancy, remains a public health concern in developing countries. Three to five per cent of all suspected CRS cases in India have been proven to be a rubella infection. Only about 45%–60% of pregnant women and infants in India receive the rubella vaccination. We present a case of a preterm female infant who tested positive for the rubella virus. The baby was born with low birth weight and, on examination, showed pallor and hepatosplenomegaly. She was detected to have an ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) and a large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) on echocardiography. On ophthalmic examination, she was diagnosed with bilateral cataract. She was treated with diuretics, and she underwent surgical correction for PDA. With this case we intend to present the literature, clinical manifestations and management of CRS. We will also focus on prevention, vaccination and disease burden in India.