Seroprevalance of Measles Antibody in the Age Group 1 to 12 Years

To detect the level of antibody against measles virus in children 1 to 12 years of age and to compare measles antibody titres of vaccinated and unvaccinated children between 1 to12 years of age, this study was carried out. This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2012 to November 2014 on children between 1to 12 years of age attending the Paediatric O.P.D. of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, A.M.U., Aligarh with the objective of finding out the seroprevalence and anti-measles antibody levels. Increasing measles seropositivity was observed with advancement in age from 1 to 12 years that is, it increased from 46% at 1 year of age to 92% at 12 years of age. This was accompanied by a decrease in seronegativity from 43% at 1 year of age to 8% at 12 years. The geometric mean titre (GMT) of measles-specific IgG antibody in the total subjects was observed to be 610 mIU/ml. The GMT of vaccinated children was significantly higher that is, 908[95%confidence interval (CI): 776-1, 047] mIU/ml as compared with unvaccinated children that is, 228 (95%CI: 174–295) mIU/ml (p=0.000). There is a strong association between age and measles seroprevalence as well geometric mean titersGMT of measles-specific IgG antibody. A progressive rise in both occurs with increasing age. Seroprevalence of measles as well GMT of measles-specific IgG antibody in Aligarh are similar in males and females. Vaccinated children have higher measles seroprevalence as well GMT of measles-specific IgG antibody.