The greatest damage from rubella occurs when it strikes pregnant mothers during the
A) zygotic period.
B) embryonic period.
C) second trimester.
D) third trimester.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The embryonic period is the time between the 3rd and 8th week of pregnancy, during which time the baby's organs are forming. If a pregnant woman contracts rubella during this period, the virus can cause serious birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome. Symptoms may include heart defects, blindness, deafness, and intellectual disability. Rubella during the zygotic period or later in the pregnancy (second or third trimester) can still cause harm to the baby, but the risks are not as high as during the embryonic period.

The Greatest Damage from Rubella Occurs When It Strikes Pregnant