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[Epidemiologic study of 245 cases of children hospitalized with measles]
M M Morales Suárez-Varela1, P Cotanda Gutiérrez, F Asensi Botet
1Unidad Docente de Salud Pública, Universitat de Valencia, Hospital Universitario La Fe.
Insights
Measles hospitalizations in children highlight the critical role of vaccination and nutritional status. Most children hospitalized with measles were unvaccinated and presented complications, underscoring preventable risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Measles remains a significant public health concern, particularly in pediatric populations.
- Hospitalization due to measles indicates severe disease presentation and potential complications.
- Understanding the characteristics of hospitalized measles cases is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose:
- To analyze the common characteristics of children hospitalized with measles.
- To identify potential risk factors and trends in measles hospitalizations.
- To inform vaccination strategies and public health policies.
Summary:
- A retrospective study analyzed measles hospitalizations in children aged 4 months to 10 years between 1983 and 1988.
- The majority of hospitalized children (58%) were under 3 years old, with an average age of 2.73 years.
- Only 14% of cases had prior vaccination, and 76% experienced complications, with notable nutritional deficiencies (average PE-IMC -1.129).
Impact:
- Findings emphasize the effectiveness of vaccination in preventing severe measles cases and hospitalizations.
- The study highlights the importance of nutritional status as a factor influencing measles severity.
- Results can guide targeted public health campaigns and improve pediatric measles management.
Objective:
The object of the present study is an analysis of the characteristics common to children hospitalised because of measles.
Design:
A retrospective descriptive study was made of all the children in hospital with measles over a six month period. SITE. The study was carried out in the Hospital Infantil La Fe, in Valencia.
Patients Or Others Participants:
All of the children taken into hospital between January 1983 and December 1988, with diagnosed measles as a stated factor in their hospitalisation, aged between 4 months and ten years.
Intervention:
Treatments were extremely varied, depending on the symptoms of the patient. In most cases an antithermic or analgesic was administered (70%).
Measurements And Main Results:
The data was compiled from clinical histories. We note two epidemics, in 1983 and 1987. 58% of the children were less than 3 years old, and the average age observed was 2.73 years (SD = 2.40). The standard rate of body mass, (PE-IMC) in 81% of the cases, averaged -1.129, and the SD was 1.431, significant with respect to the general population (p 0.001). Only 14% of the children had been previously vaccinated. 76% of the children presented complications.
Conclusions:
New risk factors were not identified. Most notable was the importance of nutritional state and correct vaccination.