Renal dysfunction in adults during measles

Many cases of measles in adults were notified during the epidemic in France in 2008. Studying these cases can lead to a better understanding of their potential complications, little data having been reported on renal dysfunction during measles.

A retrospective study of biologically confirmed measles cases in patients hospitalized for more than 24 hours was carried out in the Nantes Teaching Hospital, between January and December 2011. The renal function was assessed using the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation.

Thirty-eight patients were included, 17 (45%) presented with a clearance below 90 mL/min. One patient presented with acute renal failure, with a clearance at 37 mL/min, and proteinuria at 2.8 g/L. His renal function was restored on day 2.

Acute renal failure can occur during measles in adults. Serum creatinine should be systematically assessed during the initial medical evaluation.