Pennsylvania health department alerts clinicians to rise in congenital measles cases
The state health department issued guidance as measles infections among pregnant people and newborns increase, marking the first reported congenital cases in decades.
Pennsylvania’s health department released a health alert on Monday warning of a growing number of measles infections during pregnancy and the resulting cases of congenital measles, which have not been documented in the state for decades. The advisory provides clinical guidance for managing measles exposure in pregnant patients and for caring for newborns with the infection.
State officials reported 1,286 measles cases across 42 counties as of Oct. 19, with 247 hospitalizations and six deaths pending confirmation. Earlier reporting indicated 53 measles cases among pregnant individuals, including at least one newborn death linked to maternal illness.
Health officials note that unvaccinated pregnant people are at higher risk of severe outcomes, including pneumonia, hospitalization, miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, and preterm labor. Because the MMR vaccine is a live attenuated product, it is not administered during pregnancy; instead, exposed patients may receive intravenous immunoglobulin within six days of exposure.
Congenital measles can present with fever, jaundice, rash, low platelet counts, pneumonia, and neurological complications. Survivors may face long-term risks such as immune amnesia and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a progressive neurological disease that can appear years later. The alert advises ongoing monitoring of affected infants and counseling for parents on early signs of SSPE, including seizures and developmental regression.