Table 1_Anti-Rubella antibodies seroprevalence among pregnant women in South-Western Romania.docx

Vaccination programs have reduced rubella incidence globally, but regional differences in coverage and immunity persist. The objective of the study was to assess the seroprevalence of anti-rubella IgM and IgG antibodies among pregnant women in South-Western Romania, with a focus on temporal trends, demographic factors, and the impact of vaccination eligibility.</p>Methods<p>This observational, cross-sectional study included pregnant women screened for TORCH infections at the County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Craiova, Romania, during two periods: 2013–2016 and 2019–2022.

Serum samples were tested for anti-rubella IgM and IgG antibodies. Participants were stratified by age, area of residence (rural/urban), and eligibility for rubella vaccination based on birth year.</p>Results<p>A total of 3,268 samples were analyzed. The seroprevalence of acute rubella infection (IgM positive) was low and slightly decreased from 0.54% (2013–2016) to 0.50% (2019–2022), with the most notable decrease in rural areas and among women aged 21–25 years.