Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease. Unvaccinated pregnant women are not only at risk of infection but also risk of severe pregnancy complications. We evaluated data during the measles outbreak reported in Catania, Italy. We controlled hospital discharge records for patients admitted to hospital obstetric wards searching the measles diagnostic code. We had indicated the case as “confirmed” when the IgM was found to be positive with the ELISA method. We registered 843 cases of measles, and 51% were females. Twenty-four patients between the ages of 17 and 40 had measles while they were pregnant. Adverse pregnancy outcomes included two spontaneous abortions, one therapeutic abortion, one fetal death, and six preterm deliveries. Respiratory complications were more prevalent in pregnant women than in nonpregnant women with measles. Fourteen health care workers were infected with measles, and none of these had been previously vaccinated. Immune response mechanisms were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with measles. To reduce the rate of measles complications, gynecologists should investigate vaccination history and antibody test results in all childbearing age women. During a measles outbreak, gynecologists and midwives should be active proponents of vaccination administration and counteract any vaccine in patients and health care workers.

Reference: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jp/2020/6532868/

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