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Evaluation of Pediatric Measles Cases Hospitalized in 2019
Can Celiloğlu1, Orkun Tolunay1, Ümit Çelik1
1Department of Pediatrics, Adana City Training and Research Hospital, University of Medical Sciences, Adana, Turkey.
Insights
Measles outbreaks in Turkey affected many unvaccinated children, including refugees. Increased awareness of post-exposure prophylaxis and high vaccination rates are crucial, especially in refugee populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Global measles outbreaks in 2018-2019 impacted Turkey.
- Measles resurgence linked to imported cases and low vaccination rates, exacerbated by refugee influx.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze measles cases in hospitalized children in Adana, Turkey, during 2019.
- To identify demographic and clinical characteristics of pediatric measles patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of hospitalized pediatric patients diagnosed with measles.
- Evaluation of demographic data, clinical, and laboratory findings.
Main Results:
- 38 children hospitalized; 47.4% were refugees, 52.6% Turkish citizens.
- 25 of 27 children with vaccination data were unvaccinated against measles; 76% were under 12 months.
- No mortalities; 10 cases had household measles exposure, but only 2 received prophylaxis.
Conclusions:
- Low prophylaxis uptake despite known measles exposure within households.
- Need for increased awareness and administration of post-exposure prophylaxis for measles.
- Importance of maintaining high measles vaccination coverage, particularly in areas with high refugee populations.
Objective:
Outbreaks of measles were seen throughout the world in 2018-2019, including Turkey. Measles outbreak in Turkey may be attributed to cases imported from European countries and increased rate of unvaccinated children due to the massive influx of refugees from neighboring countries.
Materials And Methods:
The demographic details and clinical and laboratory findings of the patients hospitalized with diagnosis of measles in the Pediatric Clinic of Adana City Hospital in 2019 were evaluated retrospectively.
Results:
Among the 38 children enrolled, 18 were female (47.4%), the median age was 12 months (3-199 months), 20 were Turkish citizens (52.6%), and 18 (47.4%) were refugees. Twenty-seven children had vaccination data available, with 25 unvaccinated for measles. None of the families declared vaccine hesitancy. Of the unvaccinated subgroup (n = 25), 19 (76%) were younger than 12 months. The mean duration of hospitalization was 5.13 ± 2.67 days, no mortalities occurred. Measles was encountered in the social circle of 10 cases, although only 2 families applied for prophylaxis.
Conclusions:
Among the children with measles, 10 of the cases were reported to be within the household of previously diagnosed measles cases, but only 2 of them were given prophylaxis. Awareness regarding use of post-exposure prophylaxis against measles should be increased. Efforts to keep the measles vaccination coverage rate above optimal levels should be encouraged in regions with concentration of irregular refugees.
