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Evaluation of serological status of rubella & mumps in children below five years
A Chakravarti1, S Yadav, N Berry
1Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi.
Insights
Children under nine months are vulnerable to rubella and mumps. Early measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination by nine months may offer the most protection against these diseases in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rubella and mumps pose significant health risks to young children.
- Understanding antibody levels is crucial for effective immunization strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine rubella and mumps antibody seropositivity in children under five years.
- To identify the optimal age for rubella and mumps immunization.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study analyzed 321 serum samples from children under five.
- Seropositivity and mean antibody levels for rubella and mumps were assessed.
Main Results:
- Rubella seropositivity was 33.3% below nine months, decreasing to 16.9% at 9-12 months, and rising to 25.5% by two years.
- Mumps seropositivity was 53.3% below nine months, 20.3% at 9-12 months, and 40% by two years.
- Low mean antibody levels for both viruses were observed in infants and toddlers.
Conclusions:
- A substantial proportion of children are susceptible to rubella and mumps by nine months of age.
- Current immunization schedules may need adjustment to optimize protection.
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination at nine months could be highly beneficial.
Abstract:
A cross-sectional study was carried out on 321 serum samples to detect rubella and mumps antibodies in children below five years and to assess the optimum age for immunization against rubella and mumps. Seropositivity to rubella was 33.3 per cent in children below nine months, 16.9 per cent at 9-12 months and 25.5 per cent by two years. Mean antibody levels for rubella were low at nine months to one year and remained so till five years of age. Similarly, seropositivity for mumps was 53.3 per cent below nine months, 20.3 per cent at 9-12 months and 40 per cent by two years. Mean antibody levels for mumps were low between nine months to two years with a slight rise by five years. The findings suggest that a large majority of children are at risk by the age of nine months in our population and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination at this age may be most beneficial.