Hospitalizations for measles, 1970-78

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can lead to serious complications.
• Understanding hospitalization trends is crucial for public health interventions and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze national trends in measles-related hospitalizations in the United States between 1970 and 1978.
• To identify demographic characteristics, length of stay, and common complications associated with measles hospitalizations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics.
• Inclusion of all hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of measles during the specified period.

Main Results:

• An estimated 52,301 measles hospitalizations occurred from 1970-1978, averaging approximately 5,800 per year.
• The median age of hospitalized patients was three years, with a median length of stay of four days.
• Respiratory complications were reported in 41% of discharges, followed by otitis media (10%) and neurologic complications (3%).

Conclusions:

• Measles resulted in a substantial burden on healthcare resources, accounting for 314,063 hospital days between 1970 and 1978.
• The findings highlight the significant impact of measles on young children and the frequent occurrence of respiratory complications.