Related Experiment Videos

Under nutrition and measles related complications in an outbreak of measles

A Mishra1, S Mishra, C Lahariya

  • 1Department of Community Medicine, G R. Medical College, Gwalior, India.

Indian Journal of Public Health
|February 5, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Measles outbreaks in India disproportionately affect undernourished children, leading to severe complications. This study highlights the critical link between malnutrition and measles severity in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Measles outbreaks pose a significant threat to child health, particularly in resource-limited settings.
  • Undernutrition is a known risk factor for infectious disease severity and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate a measles outbreak in Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh, India.
  • To describe the prevalence of undernutrition and measles-related complications in affected children.

Main Methods:

  • A study was conducted involving 723 children aged 12-59 months during a measles outbreak.
  • Caregiver interviews and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) measurements were used to assess nutritional status.
  • Prevalence of measles complications was determined.

Main Results:

  • Out of 723 children, 171 (22.3%) experienced measles-related complications.
  • A high proportion, 556 (76%), of measles cases were undernourished.
  • Severely undernourished children had significantly higher rates of measles complications (38%) compared to other groups (p<0.0001).

Conclusions:

  • Undernutrition is strongly associated with increased measles complications during outbreaks.
  • Public health interventions should prioritize nutritional support for children in measles-affected areas.
  • Addressing malnutrition is crucial for mitigating measles severity and improving outcomes.

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Overview of Protein Metabolism01:21

Overview of Protein Metabolism

Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks01:23

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
Vitamins01:30

Vitamins

Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced in our...
Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence01:28

Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence

Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...
Reservoir of Infection01:30

Reservoir of Infection

Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...