comparative study of measles complications in vaccinated versus non-vaccinated children

ABSTRACT

To find out and compare the frequency of measles complications among vaccinated and nonvaccinated children. This hospital based cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in Pediatrics Unit, PGMI/LRH, Peshawar All the patients were divided into two groups. In group 1, 100 vaccinated and in group 2, 100 non-vaccinated children were included. Both groups were compared for complications of measles. In group 1, majority [51%] cases were in age range of 1-3 years and in group 2, majority [59%] cases were also in age range of 1-3 years. In group 1, male were 55 [55%] and 45 [45%] were female. In group 2, male were 53 [53%] and 47 [47%] female. In group 1, complications include bronchopneumonia in 49 [49%], upper respiratory tract infection in 39 [39%], diarrhea in 32 [32%], oral ulcer in 31 [31%], dehydration in 15 [15%], otitis media in 10 [10%], malnutrition in 2 [2%], encephalitis in only 1 [1%] case. In group 2, bronchopneumonia in 51 [51%], diarrhea in 50 [50%], upper respiratory tract infection in 24 [24%], oral ulcer in 22 [22%], dehydration in 20 [20%], otitis media in 17 [17%], malnutrition in 12 [12%], and encephalitis in 11 [11%] patients. Nearly 50% of children in both groups were less than 5 years of age. This indicates that many children of this age group are still unprotected. Overall difference in vaccinated and unvaccinated groups was statistically significant [P value = 0.001]