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Effects of measles-containing vaccination in children with severe underlying neurologic disease
Dimitra Dimopoulou1, Maria Koutsaki1, Melpomeni Giorgi1
1Third Department of Pediatrics, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Insights
Measles vaccination is safe for children with severe neurologic conditions, despite a higher risk of seizures in those with epilepsy. The measles-containing vaccine is generally well-tolerated, offering crucial protection during outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Neurology
Background:
- Measles outbreaks present a significant health risk, particularly for unvaccinated individuals.
- Children with severe neurologic diseases are a vulnerable population during measles outbreaks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and tolerability of measles-containing vaccines in children with severe neurologic diseases.
- To assess adverse events and long-term effects following vaccination in this specific cohort.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 27 children with severe neurologic diseases received measles-containing vaccines during an outbreak.
- Adverse events were monitored for 30 days post-vaccination, with long-term effects assessed at 12 months.
Main Results:
- Over half of parents (51.8%) reported no adverse events.
- Reported adverse events included afebrile seizures, fever, and febrile seizures.
- The quadrivalent measles-containing vaccine combined with varicella showed an association with febrile seizures (p=0.04).
Conclusions:
- Vaccination with measles-containing vaccines is justified in children with severe neurologic disease due to a generally favorable safety profile.
- Seizure aggravation was the main side effect observed, specifically in children with pre-existing epilepsy.
Background:
Measles outbreaks pose significant risk for those unvaccinated.
Patients And Methods:
Measles-containing vaccine was offered to unvaccinated children with severe neurologic diseases during a measles outbreak. Vaccination adverse events were reported by parents 30 days following vaccination. Long term effects were evaluated 12 months post vaccination.
Results:
Twenty-seven children were vaccinated (36 doses given). Half of parents (51.8%) reported no adverse events following immunization. Adverse events included afebrile seizures (6/36), fever alone (5/36) and febrile seizures (5/36). Two children required hospitalization. Quadrivalent measles-containing vaccine combined with varicella was associated with febrile seizures (p = 0.04). No child needed adjustment of the anti-epileptic treatment or exhibited developmental regression.
Conclusion:
Ina series of children with prior severe neurologic disease, the safety-tolerability profile ofvaccines containing a measles vaccine component suggests that vaccination is justified. Main side effect was seizure aggravation in children with known epileptic disease.
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