CRS is a group of birth defects that occur when a woman gets infected with rubella virus during pregnancy. The virus can harm the developing fetus and result in a range of physical and intellectual disabilities, including deafness, blindness, heart defects and intellectual disabilities.
CRS is a preventable disease and can be avoided by ensuring the girls and women are vaccinated against rubella well before they are pregnant.
Symptoms of CRS may not appear immediately after birth and may take weeks or even months to develop. The severity of CRS can vary.
In some cases, CRS can result in abortion or stillbirth.
MR campaign in India is one effort aimed at reducing the incidence of CRS. By ensuring that women are vaccinated well before they intend to conceive, the risk of CRS can be reduced.
Reference:
GOI 2017. Introduction of MR Vaccine; National Operational Guidelines: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi.