Low Use of Vitamin A in Children Hospitalized for Measles in the United States

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2020 Apr;39(4):e45-e46. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002574.

Abstract

Vitamin A reduces measles morbidity/mortality and and is recommended for management. We studied 142 patients hospitalized at US Children's hospitals for measles between January 1, 2004, and March 31, 2019, and found only 47 (33%) received vitamin A. Patients with complex chronic conditions were less likely to be treated. This study highlights a concerning gap between recommendations and practice for hospital management of measles.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Hospitals, Pediatric / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Measles / complications
  • Measles / physiopathology*
  • Measles / prevention & control*
  • Morbidity
  • Retrospective Studies
  • United States
  • Vitamin A / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin A / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vitamin A