Final answer:
Cataracts can indeed occur in newborns whose mothers had rubella during pregnancy, as part of congenital rubella syndrome. This is a direct consequence of the rubella virus crossing the placenta and causing developmental defects, including ocular defects such as cataracts. Prevention of rubella through vaccination and prenatal screening are critical measures to prevent these complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that cataracts may occur in a newborn whose mother had rubella during pregnancy is true. Congenital rubella syndrome, as a result of maternal infection with rubella early in pregnancy, can lead to a host of developmental defects, including ocular issues like cataracts. Rubella is one of the teratogenic viruses included in the group of pathogens capable of crossing the placental barrier, known as TORCH infections. The severity of defects, including cataracts, is higher if the infection occurs before the 11th week of pregnancy but can happen at any point during gestation.
Therefore, prenatal screening for rubella is a common and important procedure to prevent these complications. While there is an association between congenital cataracts and other factors, such as prolonged exposure to UV-B rays later in life, the association with congenital rubella syndrome is due to a very different mechanism, namely, viral infection during early fetal development.
It is important to note that cataracts in newborns can be treated successfully, and frequently with the surgical replacement of the clouded lens with a plastic lens. Still, prevention, such as rubella vaccination, remains key to avoiding these issues.