Published on
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a new document that provides guidance on congenital measles, including its definition, clinical presentation, evaluation and management, infection control, long-term follow-up, and prevention. Organized with frequently asked questions, the document was developed in response to ongoing measles outbreaks and the potential for congenital measles cases in the United States, according to AAP. The clinical information is important because presentations of congenital measles infection are highly variable, ranging from asymptomatic, to the classic measles rash, to fulminant, multisystem disease and death. It’s difficult to quantify how often a maternal measles infection is transmitted to the baby because data is limited, according to AAP, but 2 infants in Pennsylvania have died recently in cases that were classified as measles-associated deaths. As of September 11, the state has recorded at least 676 cumulative measles cases.
The best prevention: For urgent care, the key takeaway is to encourage measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination for women at least 1 month prior to pregnancy whenever possible, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pregnant women should not receive the MMR vaccine.
Read More