Measles during pregnancy
The damage of a measles infection of a pregnant woman on her child is not yet sufficiently clarified. However, there are no typical malformations as with the rubella infection of the mother. Therefore, prenatal diagnostics such as amniocentesis is not recommended in the case of an infection, as these methods are invasive and increase the risk of miscarriage by 0.5%.
Nevertheless, measles is not without danger during pregnancy, as about a quarter of children are born too early. In addition, the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth is increased. If the mother is infected towards the end of pregnancy, the child may be born with measles.
This represents a life-threatening condition for the infant, as it does not yet have a sufficiently developed immune system to effectively combat the pathogen. But a measles infection of the mother is not only dangerous for the infant, but also for the mother herself. For her, the risk of a possible complication increases.
In particular, high fever and pneumonia are to be expected. Much less dangerous than the disease, but still not recommended, is vaccination against measles during or shortly before pregnancy. However, neither the vaccination nor the disease during pregnancy constitute a reason to terminate the pregnancy. Pregnant women with the disease should be medically monitored.
Measles encephalitis
One of the most dreaded complications of measles is measles encephalitis. A distinction is made between acute encephalitis and subacute encephalitis. Acute encephalitis occurs within two weeks of infection with measles.
No viruses are detectable, there is no therapy. It can only be treated symptomatically. Between 20 and 40 percent of patients suffer neurological sequelae, 10 to 20 percent die.
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is the second form of encephalitis. It can occur two years to ten years after infection and leads to severe neurological disorders. Consequential damage remains and the development may be slowed down. The disease leads to death in 100% of cases.
Prognosis
Contrary to popular belief, measles is not a harmless childhood disease. It is rather a disease that affects the entire body.Complications can certainly occur. These complications include Even today, people still die from measles.
As a rule, however, measles is largely harmless. Once ill with measles, one enjoys lifelong immunity.
- Otitis media
- Pneumonia or
- In rare cases even an inflammation of the brain.
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