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Rubella vaccination status and immunity to rubella were studied in 230 "active patients" aged 8 to 22 years in a teaching family practice by means of a chart review and measurement of the rubella antibody titre in a blood sample. Of the 200 patients who submitted a blood sample 161 (80%) were found to be immune, having a rubella hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody titre of 1:16 or greater. Log linear analysis showed that immunity to rubella was independent of a history of rubella, and that 94% of the vaccinated patients versus 74% of the unvaccinated patients (a significant difference; P = 0.007) were immune. In retrospect we estimated that 80% of the study group were protected at the start of the study. After surveillance and follow-up, with vaccination of 27 of the 39 patients identified as susceptible to rubella, this estimated proportion increased to 90%. The study showed that there is nothing to be gained by asking about a history of rubella but that vaccination against this disease is increasing among children aged 5 to 9 years.

Seven hundred and forty-four cases of patent ductus arteriosus were diagnosed at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, in the 20-year period from 1947 to 1966. Of these 705 have been treated surgically. It is concluded that operation is best performed between 6 and 12 months of age. Isolated ductus arteriosus is rarely a cause of congestive heart failure, and is more likely to be so in the presence of the rubella syndrome. Failure associated with the anomaly in the neonatal period can usually be successfully managed by medical treatment. Spontaneous closure after one month of age is not to be expected. Surgical treatment at the appropriate time prevents the subsequent development of Eisenmenger's complex.