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Correct Answer: birth defects.
the primary risk of pregnancy without vaccination against rubella, commonly known as german measles, is the potential for serious birth defects. rubella is particularly dangerous if contracted by a pregnant woman, especially during the first trimester. the virus can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, leading to congenital rubella syndrome (crs). crs can cause a wide range of severe birth defects including blindness, deafness, heart defects, and developmental disabilities. these issues arise because the rubella virus interferes with the normal development of the fetus.
vaccination against rubella before pregnancy is crucial because it is highly effective in preventing the transmission of the virus to the fetus. once a woman is already pregnant, it is too late to vaccinate against rubella for the protection of the fetus during that pregnancy. this is why health organizations worldwide recommend that rubella vaccinations be administered during childhood or well before a woman becomes pregnant.
in addition to the risk of severe birth defects, rubella infection during pregnancy can also increase the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. however, the most distinctive and severe risk associated with rubella in pregnancy remains the development of congenital rubella syndrome in the newborn. this underscores the importance of rubella vaccination as a preventive measure.
to clarify, while conditions like reye’s syndrome and fetal alcohol syndrome (fas) are serious health issues, they are not related to rubella. reye’s syndrome is associated with the use of aspirin in children with viral infections, and fas is caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy. neither of these conditions is linked to the rubella virus.
overall, the vaccination against rubella is a critical step in prenatal care that safeguards against the high risks of congenital defects associated with the rubella virus. ensuring immunity through vaccination not only protects individual pregnancies but also contributes to the public health goal of eliminating rubella and crs globally.
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