Effect of measles on the nutritional status of preschool children
Bhaskaram, P.; Reddy, V.; Raj, S.; Bhatnagar, R.C.
Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 87(1): 21-25
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-5304 PMID: 6716538 Document Number: 240569
A total of 1426 children admitted to the hospital for measles were studied. Of these, 84 were followed up for a period of 6 months after they were discharged from the hospital. It was observed that about 23% of the cases developed secondary infection during the acute stage of measles. Diarrhoea and respiratory infection were the common complications. Some children developed corneal lesions during the acute stage. Serum vitamin A levels were significantly low in these children and they showed a good clinical response to vitamin A therapy. During the follow-up period the children suffered from frequent episodes of infections for nearly 6 months after the attack of measles and the weight gain was significantly lower compared to normal children. These observations suggest that measles plays a significant role in precipitation of malnutrition and blindness due to vitamin A deficiency in preschool children.