measles in pregnancy

• there is no evidence to support an association between measles in pregnancy and congenital defects (1)
  
  
  • however, the need for effective post-exposure protection is supported by studies suggesting a high risk of severe maternal morbidity, fetal loss and prematurity
    
    
  • measles in late pregnancy can also lead to perinatal infection in the infant, which may be associated with a high mortality and the risk of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
    
    
  • UK guidance recommends using human normal immunoglobulin for susceptible pregnant women exposed to measles (1,2)
    • although there is no direct evidence that this will reduce the complications of measles in pregnancy, it may attenuate disease and therefore reduce the rate of complications. Measures to identify women likely to be susceptible include assessment of age, vaccination history, and/or antibody testing.

Reference:

• 1) Manikkavasagan G, Ramsay M.The rationale for the use of measles post-exposure prophylaxis in pregnant women: a review. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2009 Oct;29(7):572-5.
• 2) RCOG statement on measles in pregnancy (November 2008).

Last reviewed 01/2018