OBJECTIVE Measles is a dangerous infectious disease that still threatens public health in our country, as well as all over the world. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the demographic data, clinical and laboratory findings, vaccination status, disease complications, morbidity, and mortality rates of children with measles who applied to our pediatric emergency department. Material and Methods A hospital-based retrospective and descriptive study was conducted at the pediatric emergency department in a tertiary hospital in stanbul from February 2023 to May 2023. Patients who met the exact case definition in accordance with the Surveillance Guidelines for Measles, Rubella, and Congenital Rubella Syndrome, of the Turkish Ministry of Health, were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of 99 patients were examined using patient files and medical records. RESULTS Of the 99 patients, 49 (49.5%) were male. The ages of the children ranged from 2 months to 17 years and 4 months. Of the 99 children diagnosed with measles, only 9 (9%) were fully vaccinated, 4 (4%) had received a single dose of vaccination, and 86 (87%) were unvaccinated. All patients had typical maculopapular rashes and fever. A total of 78 (79%) patients had measles complications, and 95% of them were unvaccinated. The most common complication was pneumonia. A total of 64 (65%) patients had an indication of hospitalization. Only 1 (1%) patient required treatment in the pediatric intensive care unit, and was unvaccinated. The hospitalization indication rate of unvaccinated and incompletely vaccinated children with measles was significantly higher than that of fully vaccinated children. CONCLUSION In our study, it was shown that the majority of children diagnosed with measles were unvaccinated, and that vaccination made a significant difference in measles complications, hospitalization, and the need for the pediatric intensive care unit.
