A Series of 10 Severe Measles Cases in Pediatric Intensive Care

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Despite widespread pediatric immunization reducing the overall burden of measles, severe and sporadic cases, particularly in unvaccinated individuals or infants, continue to arise during local outbreaks. This retrospective study analyzed the clinical features, laboratory findings, and outcomes of 10 confirmed measles cases in children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at a tertiary hospital from June 1, 2024, to June 25, 2025. The median age of these patients was 11 months (range: 2-72 months). Bronchopneumonia (n=7) and/or sepsis (n=3) were the most common reasons for PICU admission. Complications observed included pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome (PARDS, n=2), sepsis (n=3), and meningoencephalitis (n=1). The cohort's mortality rate was 20%. Unvaccinated status, malnutrition, pre-existing medical conditions, and bronchopneumonia were identified as key risk factors for PICU admission. Even with early PICU intervention, measles-related mortality remains substantial, particularly in unvaccinated children and those with underlying health issues.