[Epidemiologic study of 245 cases of children hospitalized with measles].
OBJECTIVE
The object of the present study is an analysis of the characteristics common to children hospitalised because of measles.


METHODS
A retrospective descriptive study was made of all the children in hospital with measles over a six month period. SITE. The study was carried out in the Hospital Infantil La Fe, in Valencia.


METHODS
All of the children taken into hospital between January 1983 and December 1988, with diagnosed measles as a stated factor in their hospitalisation, aged between 4 months and ten years.


METHODS
Treatments were extremely varied, depending on the symptoms of the patient. In most cases an antithermic or analgesic was administered (70%).


RESULTS
The data was compiled from clinical histories. We note two epidemics, in 1983 and 1987. 58% of the children were less than 3 years old, and the average age observed was 2.73 years (SD = 2.40). The standard rate of body mass, (PE-IMC) in 81% of the cases, averaged -1.129, and the SD was 1.431, significant with respect to the general population (p 0.001). Only 14% of the children had been previously vaccinated. 76% of the children presented complications.


CONCLUSIONS
New risk factors were not identified. Most notable was the importance of nutritional state and correct vaccination.
Morales Suárez-Varela
M M
MM
Unidad Docente de Salud Pública, Universitat de Valencia, Hospital Universitario La Fe.
Cotanda Gutiérrez
P
P
Asensi Botet
F
F
Vitoria Miñana
I
I
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Estudio epidemiológico de 245 casos de niños ingresados por sarampión.