Serum Vitamin A Level and Immunization Status in Serologically Confirmed Measles Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To know the relationship between serum vitamin A level and clinical symptoms in measles patients and to re-evaluate the measles vaccination schedule, we performed this study. METHODS: From Jan. to Jun. 1994, we checked serum vitamin A levels and compared with clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, complications and vaccination status in 153 patients with positive measles IgM by ELISA. RESULTS: The results were as follows 1) The measles was most prevalent in the group of 7-9 months(26.1%) and 5-9 years(27.5%) of age. 2) Mean serum vitamin A level was 215.9+/-79.6ng/ml but it was lower than normal value(410-1200ng/ml). 3) Serum vitamin A level was significantly lower in the group of over 2 years of age (194.3+/-78.4ng/ml) than the group of under 2 years of age (230.2+/-77.8ng/ml). 4) There was no relationship between serum vitamin A level and clinical symptoms. 5) About half of the patients with measles IgM antibodies had a Measles vaccination before. The kinds of vaccination were measles vaccine only in 5.2%, MMR in 25.5% and measles and MMR both in 19.6% of 77 cases with the history of documented measles vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Serum vitamin A level was lower than normal range in our study subjects and there was no relationship between serum vitamin A level and clinical manifestations of mealses. About half of the patients with measles in our study subjects had measles vaccination before. Therefore it is necessary to reestablish the measles vaccination schedule in children.