Doctors warn of rising congenital measles cases amid Pennsylvania outbreak
Pennsylvania's measles surge has led to an increase in newborn infections, prompting health officials to issue new guidance for pregnant women and clinicians.
The measles outbreak in Pennsylvania has spread to newborns, with physicians reporting cases of congenital measles—an infection passed from infected mothers to their infants during pregnancy or delivery. Infectious-disease specialist Dr. John Goldman said the situation is creating "new forms of measles" and that information on outcomes is limited.
A recent case in Lancaster County involved a stillborn infant whose death was linked to the mother’s severe measles infection, according to a coroner’s report. Experts note that measles during pregnancy raises the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight, and up to 30% of infants born to infected mothers may contract the virus.
Dr. Manish Trivedi, head of infectious diseases at AtlantiCare, explained that congenital measles usually appears within the first ten days of life with fever and rash, and can lead to complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, or death. He also highlighted the long-term danger of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a fatal neurological disorder.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released a FAQ to help clinicians diagnose and treat newborns with the infection. As of Sept. 18, 2026, the United States recorded 3,471 confirmed measles cases across 39 outbreaks, surpassing the previous year’s total.
Health officials advise pregnant women to verify their immunity status. The MMR vaccine, which contains a live attenuated virus, cannot be administered during pregnancy; women who are not immune should be vaccinated before conception or after delivery. If a non-immune pregnant woman is exposed, she should seek medical care promptly, as intravenous immune globulin can be given within six days to lessen the risk of infection.