Preventing vertical virus infections: the role of serologic screening of pregnant women

The seroprevalence of Rubella in pregnant women in Turkey: a meta-analysis research of 90988 Rubella IgM, 84398 Rubella IgG, and 522 avidity results

Objective:

Rubella infection prevalence in pregnant women can vary from country to country, or even across regions in the same country. In this metaanalysis, the seroprevalence Rubella among pregnant women in Turkey in the last decade was evaluated.

Materials and Methods:

Studies conducted in Turkey between 2007 and 2017 were analyzed, and differences in seroprevalence between provinces were compared by evaluating Rubella immunoglobulin (Ig)-G, IgM, and IgG avidity results in pregnancy in this period. A data search was performed using the search terms Rubella, kızamıkçık, gebe, hamile, pregnancy, Türkiye, Turkey in Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Türk Medline, and the YÖK thesis database center.

Results:

A total of 26 articles associated with the seroprevalence of Rubella among pregnant women in Turkey were enrolled in the meta-analysis. As a result of an analysis of 84398 Rubella IgG, and 90988 Rubella IgM serology tests among pregnant women in 26 studies; Rubella IgG and IgM seroprevalence rates in pregnant woman in Turkey were found as 93.47% (95% CI: 91.72 to 95.03) and 0.783% (95% CI: 0.505 to 1.120), respectively. Rubella IgG low, intermediate, and high avidity rates were 4.66% (95% CI: 0.969 to 10.906), 7.51% (95% CI: 5.101 to 10.345), and 93.55% (95% CI: 82.584 to 99.311), respectively.

Conclusion:

The Rubella IgG seropositivity rate in Turkey among pregnant woman is high, whereas it is low for IgM. These rates may be considered as the result of successful immunization policies and practices. In a few provinces, it is necessary to revise the Rubella immunization procedures and adult vaccination strategies should be developed in order to control Rubella infections in adults, including pregnant women.