Infectious disease
Pennsylvania alerts doctors to measles infections in pregnancy and newborns
Pennsylvania reported 66 pregnant women diagnosed with measles since its outbreak began in April and urged vaccination before pregnancy.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health warned doctors Monday about rising measles infections in pregnant women and congenital measles. The department said 66 pregnant women in the state had been diagnosed since the outbreak began in April. Pennsylvania had 1,286 measles cases as of Monday, NBC News reported.
Doctors told NBC News that, anecdotally, at least six babies in Pennsylvania had been born with congenital measles. At least two developed pneumonia and were admitted to an intensive care unit. The number of pregnancy losses or affected babies is unclear. The department said state law prevents it from releasing pregnancy outcomes, and there is no national database tracking these cases.
The department urged women to get vaccinated before pregnancy. It said pregnant women cannot receive MMR, but those exposed to measles can receive immunoglobulin within six days.
