Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of severe measles in 62 infants

Abstract:

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of severe measles in infants. MethodsClinical data of 62 infants with severe measles were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsOf 62 infants with severe measles, 42 (67.74%) were aged < 9 months, of whom 37（88.10%）were not vaccinated against measles. The onset months were FebruaryMay, 41 cases (66.13%) were found in MarchApril.  All patients had fever and skin rash, the rates of other symptoms and complications were as follows : oral leukoplakia 80.65%（n=50）, Catarrh symptom 77.42%（n=48）, conjunctivitis 79.03%（n=49）, history of choked water cough 75.81%（n=47）, pneumonia 95.16%（n=59）, acute laryngitis 35.48% (n=22), electrolyte disorder  20.97%（n=13）, acute respiratory distress syndrome 9.68%（n=6）, liver function damage 9.68%（n=6）, pneumothorax 8.06% （n=5）,myocardial damage 4.84% （n=3）, respiratory failure 3.23% （n=2）, toxic encephalopathy 3.23%（n=2）, measles encephalitis 1.61% （n=1）, and pleural effusion  1.61%（n=1）. Of all cases, 41 cases were cured, 19 cases improved, 1 case died, and 1 case gave up treatment.  ConclusionThese severe measles cases occurred mainly in infants aged<9 months and were not vaccinated against measles; infants had history of choked water cough; the main onset months were MarchApril ; pneumonia was still a predominant complication of infant measles.