Measles in children younger than 9 months in Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan has one of the highest burden of measles and measles-related deaths in the world. We compared the clinical course and outcomes of measles in infants aged <9 months with those >9 month old amongst children admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected by a retrospective chart review, and compared between age <9 months (Group A) and age >9 months (Group B). Severe malnutrition (P=0.039, adjusted odds ratio=3.02), anemia (P=0.017), leukocytosis (P<0.001, adjusted odds ratio 4.1), and conjunctivitis (P=0.021) were higher in Group A children. All four deaths occurred in Group B.