Prevalence of placentally transmitted antibodies for measles in infants 3 to 11 months old in an urban slum community.

Upto 35% of infants aged between 6 and 11 months are infected with measles in India with its associated high morbidity and mortality. The objective of the study is to know the waning pattern of placentally transmitted antibodies (PTA) for measles so that the age at which children are likely to become susceptible to measles infection could be identified. A cross-sectional serological survey of children aged 3 to 11 months in one of the Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) area in Madras city slums was done. Venous blood from 376 children was collected and was tested for Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) antibodies by standard microtitration technique. Titre greater than or equal to 1:8 has been considered as protective. The proportion of children with immune level and the Geometric Mean Titre (GMT), declined to the least by 5 months which denotes that most of the infants become susceptible to measles infection from as early as 5 months of age. There is no significant difference in the waning pattern between different age groups, sex and nutritional status. A community study for effectiveness of measles vaccine at 6-8 months of age is needed to know the feasibility of immunization earlier than 9 months of age.