Evaluation of Pediatric Measles Cases Hospitalized in 2019

Özet

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 andincreased rate of unvaccinated children due to the massive influx of refugees from neighboringcountries.Materials and Methods: The demographic details and clinical and laboratory findings of thepatients hospitalized with diagnosis of measles in the Pediatric Clinic of Adana City Hospital in2019 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-sevenchildren had vaccination data available, with 25 unvaccinated for measles. None of the familiesdeclared vaccine hesitancy. Of the unvaccinated subgroup (n = 25), 19 (76%) were younger than12 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 forprophylaxis.Conclusions: Among the children with measles, 10 of the cases were reported to be within thehousehold 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 encouragedin regions with concentration of irregular refugees.