Congenital rubella syndrome natural history

Complications
CRS can result in serious birth defects such as:


 * malformations of the heart (especially patent ductus arteriosus), eyes or brain
 * deafness
 * spleen, liver or bone marrow problems (some of which may disappear shortly after birth)
 * mental retardation
 * small head size (microcephaly)
 * eye defects
 * low birth weight
 * thrombocytopenic purpura
 * hepatomegaly

Prognosis

 * The outcome for a child with congenital rubella depends on the severity of problems present.
 * Heart defects can often be corrected.
 * Damage to the nervous system is permanent.