From the Guidelines
Approximately 1-2% of non-vaccinated babies who get measles will die from the disease or its complications in developed countries, while the mortality rate can be as high as 25% in developing countries. This is based on the evidence from 1, which highlights the severity of measles and its potential for serious complications, particularly in infants and young children. The study notes that the risk for death from measles or its complications is greater for infants, young children, and adults than for older children and adolescents.
The most common causes of death from measles are pneumonia and acute encephalitis, as reported in 1. Additionally, the disease can cause severe complications, including diarrhea, middle ear infection, or bronchopneumonia, and encephalitis occurs in approximately one of every 1,000 reported cases.
Key points to consider include:
- The incubation period of measles averages 10-12 days from exposure to prodrome and 14 days from exposure to rash, as noted in 1
- The risk of death is highest among infants under one year of age, malnourished children, and those with compromised immune systems
- Vaccination is highly effective at preventing measles, but the provided evidence does not specify the exact vaccine efficacy
- The evidence from 1 provides guidance on vaccination strategies for infants, but does not directly address the mortality rate of non-vaccinated babies who contract measles.
Overall, the evidence emphasizes the importance of vaccination in preventing measles and its complications, particularly in vulnerable populations such as infants and young children. Vaccination is crucial in protecting these populations, and public health authorities strongly recommend adherence to vaccination schedules.
From the Research
Measles Mortality in Non-Vaccinated Babies
- The provided studies do not directly mention the percentage of non-vaccinated babies who will die from measles.
- However, according to 2, measles infection can lead to immune suppression for weeks to months and complications of high frequency and severity, which may increase the risk of mortality.
- The study 2 also mentions that treatment with vitamin A is recommended for younger children to decrease mortality from measles, indicating that measles can be fatal in this age group.
- Unfortunately, there is no specific data available in the provided studies to determine the exact percentage of non-vaccinated babies who will die from measles.