title: Effect of early measles vaccination (AIK-C strain) for preterm infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The level of maternal antibodies decreases more quickly in preterm than term infants, leaving them unprotected against measles. To protect premature infants from measles, an early vaccination trial was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in the serum measles neutralization test (NT) antibody titer were examined in 152 infants (average gestational period, 29 weeks; average birthweight, 1203 g).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average antibody titer (2(n)) was 2(3.5) at birth and 2(2.2) at 1-3 months of age, and in all cases, NT antibody titer decreased to <1:4 (150 IU/mL). The AIK-C measles vaccine was given to 17 preterm infants at the age of 6 months, and induced sufficient serological responses without any serious adverse events. NT antibody level did not decay during 12 months after vaccination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early immunization at 6 months of age is effective to protect preterm infants in the outbreak setting.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Saitama Municipal Hospital Mother and Child Medical Center, Saitama, Japan.
authors: Tomonori
authors: T
authors: Ichikawa
authors: Atsutoshi
authors: A
authors: Tsuji
authors: Motoko
authors: M
authors: Fujino
authors: Ryousuke
authors: R
authors: Kusano
authors: Ryusuke
authors: R
authors: Sugiyama
authors: Sayu
authors: S
authors: Oomori
authors: Kazuhiro
authors: K
authors: Mori
authors: Katsuhiro
authors: K
authors: Maeyama
authors: Tetsuo
authors: T
authors: Nakayama
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008457:Measles / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008458:Measles Vaccine / Q000276:immunology*; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D008458:Measles Vaccine