Infantile Glaucoma: A Manifestation of Congenital Rubella

After the rubella epidemic of 1964, we studied eight infants in whom congenital glaucoma developed following suspected or proved maternal rubella. Rubella virus was isolated from seven of the infants, and the eighth had a significant titer (1:64) of rubella serum neutralizing antibody at age 3 months. Infantile glaucoma was the only manifestation of congenital rubella in one infant. In another infant, glaucoma first became apparent at age 8 months. Infantile glaucoma must be distinguished from the transient corneal clouding occasionally observed in congenital rubella. Rubella acquired in utero is one cause of congenital glaucoma.