<prompt> Risk of the damage to the fetus by maternal rubella is maximum if the mother gets infected in -6-12 weeks of pregnancy20-24 weeks of pregnancy24-28 weeks of pregnancy32-36 weeks of pregnancy  <response>: Ans. is a i.e., 6-12 weeks of pregnancyCongenital rubella syndrome CRS refers to infants born with defects secondary to intrauterine infection or whomanifest symptoms or signs of intrauterine infection sometimes after birth.Rubella infection inhibits cell division and this is probably the reason for congenital malformations and low birthweight.Always remember these important points about congenital rubella infection.The fetus can be infected as well as affected in all stages of the pregnancy.The rate of infection, as well as damage to the fetus, is highest during the first trimester. Both the risk of infection as well as the risk of damage to the fetus goes on decreasing as the pregnancy progresses, so the rate of infection and the risk of damage to the fetus is lowest in the 3rd trimester. 