A study of measles epidemic in Babylon teaching hospital for pediatrics and gynecology

الملخص EN

Measles is a viral disease with a distinctive maculopapular rash, and the mortality rate might reach about 25% because of malnutrition and lead to devastating complications.

The vaccine and the introduction of oral vitamin A in the management of infected children with severe measles has dramatically changed the epidemiology of measles and the morbidity and mortality is greatly reduced.

To study the profile of the measles epidemic in Babylon teaching hospital for Pediatrics and Gynecology.

A descriptive observational study was carried out during an outbreak of measles, in 2014, in Babylon City and data was taken from patients᾽ caregivers, admitted to Babylon teaching hospital for Pediatrics and Gynecology.

The line lists on measles was investigated include; age, sex, residence, nutritional status, type of feeding, any previous history of vitamin A supplementation, and vaccination status.

The mean age of the patients was about two and a half years, most of them were from rural areas.

Those whom had taken their vaccination twice, are the least complicated and milder symptoms.

Those who received repeated doses of vitamin A had less severe symptoms, fewer complications, and fewer days of hospitalization.

The study highlights the urgent need for early recognition and interventions for the emergence of new cases of measles and good vaccination coverage programs especially in the towns.