Pa. warns of measles infections among pregnant women and congenital cases
KYWNNewsradio reports:
BLUF: About 5% of Pa. measles cases among pregnant women, health department says.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Health officials in Pennsylvania are issuing a warning as more pregnant women have been infected with measles, sparking concerns about congenital cases, which had been, for many years, rare in the United States.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health issued an advisory to doctors’ offices offering guidance as the state deals with the largest measles outbreak in the country in decades.
“Measles during pregnancy has been associated with an increased maternal risk of hospitalization, pneumonia, need for oxygen support or mechanical ventilation, and death,” the department said.
Since the outbreak began, 66 pregnant women — about 5% of the state’s outbreak — have been diagnosed with the disease, the health department said. There are now concerns about congenital measles — babies born with the illness.
Health experts say measles increases the risk of miscarriage, early labor and low birth weight. And, there could be long-term effects, like severe brain and immune system issues.
“Pregnant women are at higher risk because their bodies are amped up from an inflammatory standpoint,” said Dr. Antonette Dulay, Main Line Health’s chief of maternal-fetal medicine. “The kids themselves can have pneumonia, and a newborn with pneumonia can have a devastating outcome.
“Later too, there might be neurological issues that can arise overall.”
The health department said it does not specifically track congenital measles cases, as there is no national standard for reporting or tracking, but it said 157 children under the age of 4 have contracted measles in Pennsylvania.
Prevention is crucial, and officials are continuing to get the word out about the safety and efficacy of the MMR vaccine.
Women who have not been vaccinated are urged to get the shots before they become pregnant, as they are not able to get the shot while pregnant.
To date, there are almost 1,300 confirmed cases of the virus in 42 Pennsylvania counties. So far this year, there have been at least six measles-related deaths statewide, including two infants. All of them were either unvaccinated individuals or too young to be vaccinated.
BLUF: About 5% of Pa. measles cases among pregnant women, health department says.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Health officials in Pennsylvania are issuing a warning as more pregnant women have been infected with measles, sparking concerns about congenital cases, which had been, for many years, rare in the United States.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health issued an advisory to doctors’ offices offering guidance as the state deals with the largest measles outbreak in the country in decades.
“Measles during pregnancy has been associated with an increased maternal risk of hospitalization, pneumonia, need for oxygen support or mechanical ventilation, and death,” the department said.
Since the outbreak began, 66 pregnant women — about 5% of the state’s outbreak — have been diagnosed with the disease, the health department said. There are now concerns about congenital measles — babies born with the illness.
Health experts say measles increases the risk of miscarriage, early labor and low birth weight. And, there could be long-term effects, like severe brain and immune system issues.
“Pregnant women are at higher risk because their bodies are amped up from an inflammatory standpoint,” said Dr. Antonette Dulay, Main Line Health’s chief of maternal-fetal medicine. “The kids themselves can have pneumonia, and a newborn with pneumonia can have a devastating outcome.
“Later too, there might be neurological issues that can arise overall.”
The health department said it does not specifically track congenital measles cases, as there is no national standard for reporting or tracking, but it said 157 children under the age of 4 have contracted measles in Pennsylvania.
Prevention is crucial, and officials are continuing to get the word out about the safety and efficacy of the MMR vaccine.
Women who have not been vaccinated are urged to get the shots before they become pregnant, as they are not able to get the shot while pregnant.
To date, there are almost 1,300 confirmed cases of the virus in 42 Pennsylvania counties. So far this year, there have been at least six measles-related deaths statewide, including two infants. All of them were either unvaccinated individuals or too young to be vaccinated.
