POSTNATAL GROWTH RETARDATION IN CONGENITAL RUBELLA

Abstract

Three patterns of postnatal growth were found among a group of 16 infants with congenital rubella. Most remained smaller than average during infancy but grew at a normal rate. Several showed a "catch up" phase, the growth spurt in some cases occurring at about the time of apparent termination of infection. Others had a marked postnatal deceleration in growth associated with prolonged infection. Infants of mothers with rubella during the first 8 weeks of gestation showed more stunting than those born of mothers who had had rubella after this time. Males with congenital rubella tended to have greater postnatal growth failure in both length and weight than females. There was some relationship between continued infection and the degree of postnatal growth retardation. Growth hormone assays and other endocrine studies failed to reveal a hormonal basis for the postnatal growth failure of congenital rubella. No relationship between growth retardation and pituitary, thyroid, cardiac, renal, or hepatic dysfunction was found.