Complications of Measles in Paediatric Age Group: One Year Retrospective Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of complications of measles in hospitalized children. Methodology: This hospital based retrospective study was conducted in Sir Ronald Ross Institute of Tropical and Communicable Diseases(SRRIT&CD), Hyderabad from January 2011 to December 2011. All patients who presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of measles according to WHO criteria were included in the study. Information regarding patient age, sex, address, vaccination status, complications and outcome were noted in specifically designed proforma. Results: A total of 587 hospitalized measles patients were included in this study. Out of these 47 patients, 29(61.7%) were males and 18(38.3%%) were females, with male to female ratio of. The age range was from > 1to 15 years. Major complications in descending order of frequency were Bronchopneumonia 27(57.44%), bronchitis 7(14.9%), diarrhoea6 (12.8%), otitis media 2(4.25%), febrile convulsions 2(4.24%), encephalitis 1 (2.13%%), tonsillitis 1(2.13%), urinary tract infection 1(2.13%%). Conclusion: Measles is still a serious threat to our children. Bronchopneumonia followed by diarrhoea and encephalitis are the most serious complications of measles.