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Complications of mumps requiring hospitalization in children
M Nussinovitch1, B Volovitz, I Varsano
1Department of Pediatrics C, Children's Medical Centre of Israel, Petach Tikvah, Israel.
Insights
Mumps outbreaks can cause serious complications in unvaccinated children, including meningo-encephalitis and hearing loss. This study highlights the importance of mumps immunization to prevent severe illness and hospitalization.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- An outbreak of mumps occurred in Israel between 1987-1988.
- Mumps immunization was not widespread during this period, leaving a significant portion of the population susceptible.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the clinical presentation and complications of mumps during the 1987-1988 outbreak.
- To emphasize the potential severity of mumps in an under-immunized population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 66 pediatric patients treated for mumps parotitis and its complications.
- Clinical data collection on symptoms, complications, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Sixty-six children presented with mumps parotitis and various complications.
- Complications included meningo-encephalitis, cerebellar ataxia, arthritis, orchitis, transverse myelitis, deafness, and presternal edema.
- One patient experienced permanent hearing loss; all others recovered fully.
Conclusions:
- Mumps, often considered benign, can lead to severe complications requiring hospitalization.
- This outbreak underscores the critical need for universal mumps immunization to prevent serious pediatric morbidity.
Unlabelled:
During the years 1987-1988, an outbreak of mumps was reported among the paediatric population in Israel. Mumps immunization in Israel was not universal at that time and most of the population had not been immunized. During that period, 66 children with evidence of recent mumps parotitis with several complications, i.e. meningo-encephalitis, cerebellar ataxia, arthritis, orchitis, transverse myelitis, deafness and presternal oedema were treated in our department. All patients had recovered completely except one who had permanent hearing loss.
Conclusion:
This paper provides a reminder that mumps, while basically benign, has complications serious enough to lead to hospitalization without immunization.