RELATIONSHIP OF MEASLES CASES IN MEASLES VACCINATED CHILDREN DURING OUTBREAK OF MEASLES IN BAHAWALPUR.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical profile and case fatality rate and their comparison in relation with vaccination status in admitted children. Study Design: Case series retrospective study. Setting: Pediatric units of the tertiary care Hospitals (Bahawal Victoria Hospital and the Civil Hospital) affiliated with Quaid-e-Azam medical College Bahawalpur situated in Southern Punjab, Pakistan). Period: 01/01/2013 to 06/9/2013. Methods and Material: A clinical diagnosis of measles (as made by consultants of said Pediatric units) and residing in Bahawalpur district for more than one month of period before admitting in the hospital was included and reviewed. The help of Statistical department of Executive District Officer Health Bahawalpur was taken for missing information as the measles is notifiable disease and all cases were notified to Executive District Officer Health. The children who were nonresident of Bahawalpur District or with incomplete data were excluded. The children were divided into three groups depending on number of measles vaccine doses given. Results: The data of 557 children admitting during the period 01/01/2013 to 06/9/2013 with a clinical diagnosis of measles and resident of Bahawalpur district was included. 52.97% were males. 26.57% were unvaccinated and 73.43% vaccinated (39.14% with one dose and 34.29% with two doses). The mean age ± SD in unvaccinated children was 24.68±27.04, with one dose vaccination 50.94 ±35.58 and with two doses vaccination was 45.05 ±23.67 months. The case fatality rate was 2.87%. The case fatality was significantly higher in males vaccinated with two doses of vaccine as compared to either ones vaccinated with one dose or unvaccinated ones but this difference was not found in females. Conclusion: This study shows that there is urgent need of proper surveillance of measles cases.