Frequency of Measles and Its Complications in Malnourished Children

Abstract

Objective

To determine the frequency of measles and its complications in malnourished children visiting a tertiary care hospital Larkana

Introduction

Measles, a highly contagious viral infection, remains a major global health issue, especially in low-income countries with poor healthcare systems. Despite the availability of a low-cost vaccine, measles causes significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in malnourished children. Complications include severe CNS infections and secondary issues like diarrhea and pneumonia.

Methodology

The Paediatric Medicine Department at Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU), Larkana conducted a six-month descriptive cross-sectional research which was conducted from January to June 2021. The research focused on children aged 6 months to 14 years who presented with measles. The patients were assessed for measles and related complications i.e. pneumonia, gastroenteritis, and encephalitis. The data was gathered using a standardized form and analyzed using the SPSS software, specifically version 26.0.

Results

A total of 142 children were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 3.57 ± 2.62 years. The majority of the participants were male (54.2%), compared to 45.8% female. Measles was observed in 59.2% of children. Among the complications associated with measles, 26.2% of the children developed pneumonia, 8.3% experienced otitis media, 19% suffered from gastroenteritis, 16.7% presented with conjunctivitis, and 3.6% were diagnosed with encephalitis.

Conclusion

It is to be concluded that pneumonia emerged as the most common complication of measles, followed by conjunctivitis and gastroenteritis. These complications emphasize the need for vaccination and early intervention. Further research is crucial to understand contributing factors and improve public health strategies in pediatric care.