Measles Antibody in the Children in Ubon Ratchathani Province
PENC HAN SAIPAN, M.D.*, TEERANARD JIWA PAISARNPONG, B.Sc. **,
SIRIMA PATTANADILOK, M.Sc.**, YUPIN LOYHA, B.Sc. (Nursing)***,
TASSANEE JANGGAJIT, Dip in Nursing.****
Affiliation : • Pediatrics Department, Sappasittiprasong Hospital. Ubon Ratchathani 34000,
** National Institute of Health, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nontaburi 11000,
*** Public Health Office, Ubon Ratchathani 34000,
**** Community Medicine Department, Sappasittiprasong Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani 34000, Thailand.
AbstractMeasles is a highly contagious disease, preventable by vaccine. Measles epidemics have
been dramatically controlled since the introduction of live attenuated measles vaccine. Measles
antibody is used as an indicator of previous natural infection or vaccination, and also as a marker of
protective immunity. The authors determined measles IgG levels in 1,176 children in Ubon Ratchathani
province by ELISA from September 1998 to January 1999. Two- hundred and sixty- five cases
(22.5%) had antibodies below the protective level (< 320 miU/ml). Antibodies were high during
the neonatal period, then declined to below the protective level at 4-6 months of age, and were
negative at age 7-11 months. An increase in antibody level after 1 year old might be the result
of measles immunization at 9-12 months of age, then antibodies decreased to the lowest level at
3-5 years after immunization or 4-6 years of age. A second dose of immunization will increase the
number of children who have antibodies above the protective level better than one dose of immu
nization and it is recommended to revaccinate at 4-6 years of age. There was no statistical diffe
rence of measles antibody between boys and girls in all age groups.
Keywords : Measles Antibody, Children, Ubon Ratchathani Province
All Articles
Download
