Measles-Related Complications in Young Pregnant Women in Kyrgyz Republic

Abstract

Background: Measles infection during pregnancy poses risks to maternal and fetal health. This study compares clinical outcomes, complications, and immunological markers between vaccinated and unvaccinated pregnant women aged 18-29 years.

Methods: A total of 36 pregnant women (18 vaccinated, 18 unvaccinated) aged 18-29 with confirmed measles infection were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical severity, infectious complications, obstetric outcomes, hematological parameters were compared. Additional cytokine profiling and anti-measles IgG levels were assessed in healthy individuals from the general population (n=127) with subsequent evaluation of these parameters in 39 non-pregnant vaccinated women aged 20–29 years to assess immunity against measles.

Results: No significant differences were observed in the severity of disease, frequency of infectious complications, or obstetric outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated women. Immunological analysis revealed higher IFN-γ and IL-4 levels in IgG-positive non-pregnant women, suggesting preserved cellular and humoral immunity. IgG-negative women (10.3%) showed markedly reduced cytokine responses.

Conclusion: Measles vaccination performed according to the national immunization schedule of Kyrgyz Republic did not significantly reduce clinical severity or complications during pregnancy in this cohort. Moreover, reduced IFN-γ and IL-4 in IgG-negative individuals indicate waning immunity, supporting the need to revise the immunization schedule and implement measles revaccination prior to pregnancy, as well as to include measles antibody testing in routine pregnancy screening in Kyrgyz Republic.