Clinico epidemiological study of measles, pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus cases in a tertiary care hospital of western Rajasthan

Introduction: Vaccine preventable infectious diseases like measles, whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria are very important causes of morbidity and mortality in the younger infants and children in developing countries. The present study was therefore planned to evaluate and elaborate the factors responsible for this scenario. Materials and Methods: The current study was carried out in the Department of Pediatrics, Umaid Hospital, Dr. S.N. Medical College, Jodhpur, over a period of 12 months. During this period admitted cases of measles, whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus were included in the present study. The diagnosis of vaccine preventable disease was made on clinical ground and supportive laboratory evidence & complications of these diseases were also studied. Results: The incidence of vaccine preventable diseases was 1.63% amongst hospitalized cases during the study period. Incidences of measles, pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria were 0.85%, 0.47%, 0.15% and 0.14% respectively. Measles cases (52.40%) were highest in number amongst all vaccine preventable diseases. Pneumonia was the main respiratory complication in measles (82.44%) and pertussis cases (78.07%). The mortality rates of measles, pertussis & diphtheria were 6.8%, 2.73% and 13.63% respectively. Conclusion: There is still a very high incidence of vaccine preventable diseases despite multiple national programmes and ongoing stress on these and associated programmes. Reappraisal of immunization programs and strategies including effective control measures will ultimately help to eradicate the vaccine preventable diseases.