Which of the following is a manifestation of congenital rubella infection in a fetus?

Microcephaly is a recognized manifestation of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in a fetus. When a mother contracts rubella during early pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, the virus can affect the developing fetus. This infection is known to cause a variety of serious congenital abnormalities, and microcephaly—characterized by an abnormally small head—occurs due to the impact of the virus on fetal brain development.

In addition to microcephaly, congenital rubella can also result in other complications such as cardiac defects, cataracts, and auditory problems. The significance of microcephaly in this context is that it is one of the critical markers used by healthcare professionals to identify potential congenital infections stemming from maternal rubella.

The other conditions, such as neonatal jaundice, spina bifida, and Down syndrome, are associated with different etiologies and developmental issues. Neonatal jaundice, for example, often occurs due to factors unrelated to infectious processes, including factors related to liver function or blood type incompatibility. Spina bifida is a neural tube defect that arises during early fetal development due to a failure of the neural tubeclosure, which is separate from infections like rubella. Down syndrome, also distinct