Childhood measles is a common disease in infants and young children, mainly caused by viral infection, with symptoms such as itching and rash. However, if there are other complications, parents can also be vigilant and take more careful care of their babies. So, what are the complications of childhood measles?
1. Pneumonia. The proportion of hospitalized measles patients complicated with pneumonia is over 90%, which is the main cause of death for measles patients. The most common occurrence of measles complicated with pneumonia is during the rash period, which is more common in children under 5 years old, especially those under 2 years old. Clinically, the symptoms of measles include persistent fever, shortness of breath, hypoxia, increased lung rales, worsening poisoning symptoms, and metabolic disorders such as vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, acidosis, and even coma, convulsions, heart failure, etc.
2. Encephalitis. Encephalitis is a common complication of measles. Measles encephalitis mainly occurs during the eruption period, sometimes before or after the eruption, and is characterized by symptoms such as high fever, headache, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, and tetanic paralysis.
3. Cardiovascular complications. If children under 2 years old have obvious symptoms of poisoning during the measles outbreak period, they may often experience cardiac dysfunction, such as difficulty breathing, pale complexion, cold limbs, low heart sounds, or rapid liver enlargement. Electrocardiograms may show low voltage, T wave changes, conduction abnormalities, etc. A few patients may also have obvious myocarditis or pericarditis.
