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Clinical outcome in children hospitalized with complicated measles

Brekhna Aurangzeb1, Yasir Bin Nisar, Tabish Hazir

  • 1Isolation Ward, The Children's Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, Pakistan. bshifa@yahoo.com

Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP
|September 27, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Measles complications like pneumonia and diarrhea are common in hospitalized children. Mortality is linked to young age, lack of vaccination, and encephalitis, highlighting the need for timely immunization.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Measles is a highly contagious viral illness with potential for severe complications.
  • Understanding factors associated with measles outcomes is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between the clinical outcomes of measles in children and their demographic characteristics.
  • To identify common complications of measles and their association with disease severity and mortality.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted involving 205 hospitalized children with measles complications.
  • Data on patient demographics, vaccination status, and clinical complications were collected and analyzed using SPSS.
  • Statistical analysis, including Chi-square tests, was employed to determine associations.

Main Results:

  • Pneumonia (40.0%) and diarrhea (38.5%) were the most frequent complications. Malnourished children experienced longer hospital stays (p=0.010).
  • Mortality occurred in seven children and was significantly associated with younger age (p=0.04), unvaccinated status (p=0.04), and encephalitis (p=0.00001).
  • Over half (57%) of the studied children had received the measles vaccine.

Conclusions:

  • Pneumonia and diarrhea with dehydration are leading causes for measles hospitalization.
  • Malnutrition exacerbates measles complications and prolongs hospital stays.
  • Infancy, lack of vaccination, and encephalitis are critical risk factors for measles mortality, underscoring the importance of vaccination and early intervention.
Abstract

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