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Poliomyelitis with special reference to immunization status
G P Mathur1, S Mathur, V Gupta
1Department of Pediatrics, G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur.
Insights
Most childhood polio cases occurred in unvaccinated children. Partially immunized children experienced more severe illness and a significantly higher mortality rate, suggesting potential adverse effects of oral polio vaccine (OPV).
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Poliomyelitis remains a significant public health concern, particularly in regions with suboptimal vaccination coverage.
- Understanding the correlation between immunization status and disease incidence is crucial for effective disease control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the immunization status of children under five diagnosed with poliomyelitis.
- To investigate the relationship between immunization status and the incidence, severity, and mortality of poliomyelitis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 191 children under five with poliomyelitis.
- Data collected on age, sex, immunization status, clinical presentation (spinal, bulbo-spinal, bulbar polio), and outcomes (morbidity, mortality).
- Seasonal variation in poliomyelitis incidence was also examined.
Main Results:
- The majority of cases (74.9%) were in unimmunized children, while 25.1% were partially immunized.
- Severe polio (bulbo-spinal and bulbar) was more prevalent in partially immunized children (25%) compared to unimmunized (16.8%).
- Mortality rates were substantially higher in partially immunized children (29.6%) versus unimmunized children (11.2%).
Conclusions:
- Polio incidence is strongly associated with lack of immunization in young children.
- Partially immunized children face increased risks of severe disease and higher mortality.
- The study suggests a potential adverse effect of oral polio vaccine (OPV) in partially immunized children, warranting further investigation.
Abstract:
One hundred ninety one children below 5 years of age suffering from poliomyelitis were analyzed to find out the immunization status and its correlation with the incidence of poliomyelitis. Effects of age, sex, immunization status and seasonal variation on the morbidity and mortality status were studied. The maximum number of cases were admitted during the months of July (23.6%) and August (23.1%). Of 191 cases, 143 (74.9%) had no immunization and 48 (25.1%) were partially immunized. A total of 155 (81.2%) cases had spinal polio, 23 (12.01%) bulbo-spinal polio, and 13 had (6.8%) bulbar polio. Serious illness (bulbospinal and bulbar type) was more in partially immunized children (25%) as compared to unimmunized children (16.8%). The mortality rate was more than two times higher in the partially immunized (29.6%) as compared to unimmunized children (11.2%). The possible explanation for high mortality in partially immunized children could be due to the adverse effect of OPV which has not been studied so far.