Title : Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children with measles treated at Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam (January–August 2025)
Abstract:
Background: Measles remains a significant public health threat, particularly in developing countries. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, resurgence of measles cases has been reported worldwide.
Objective: To describe the epidemiological and clinical features of pediatric measles cases hospitalized at Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, from January to August 2025.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on children under 15 years old diagnosed with measles confirmed by IgM or PCR tests. Data were collected from hospital records and analyzed using SPSS 20.0, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: Among 86 hospitalized patients, 68.6% were under two years old, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.78:1. Only 19.6% had received measles vaccination. The peak incidence occurred between February and April. The mean fever duration was 5.7 ± 1.3 days. Common symptoms included cough (97.7%), conjunctivitis (88.3%), and typical maculopapular rash (100%). Laboratory findings showed lymphopenia (76.7%) and elevated liver enzymes (42.1%). Pneumonia (34.9%), acute bronchitis (23.2%), gastroenteritis (19.8%), and otitis media (11.6%) were the most frequent complications. Unvaccinated children and those aged 9–24 months had significantly higher risks of pneumonia (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Measles predominantly affects unvaccinated infants and young children, with pneumonia as the leading complication. Strengthening immunization coverage and infection control measures in healthcare facilities is essential to prevent future outbreaks.
Keywords: Measles, Pediatrics, Epidemiology, Vaccination, Pneumonia, Vietnam.
