MYOCARDITIS IN CHILDREN PRESENTING WITH MEASLES- DATA FROM A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN PAKISTAN

Background: Measles is one of the commonest contagious diseases in children associated with numerous systemic complications. Objective: To find the frequency of Myocarditis in children suffering from measles. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of pediatrics, MTI Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from 6th December 2019 to 5th June 2020. A total of 96 patients of both genders and age range from 1-12 years having measles for more than one week were enrolled in the study after informed consent. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from Ethical Review board. Patient demographic data were collected on a structured proforma and frequency of children having clinical presentation of myocarditis was recorded. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 22. Results: The frequency of Myocarditis was 7.3% in children presented with Measles. The mean age was 6.6± 3.06 years. There were 47.9% males and 52.1% females. Most patients belonged to middle socioeconomic status i.e. 61.5%. Maternal education was 49% in 6-10 years of age group. In sampled population 46.9% belonged to urban area and 5.1% belonged to rural area. There were 18.8% vaccinated children and 81.3% were not vaccinated for measles. Myocarditis was significantly associated with younger age group (p-value 0.028), however there was no difference of gender (p-value 0.781). Children with low socioeconomic status had significantly higher frequency (p-value 0.05) of myocarditis. Conclusion: Myocarditis is commonly presented in children having measles especially patients in younger age group and belonging to poor socioeconomic status.