Newborn recovers after intensive treatment for rare measles infection in Dhaka
Photo Collected
A 21-day-old infant has been discharged from the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute in Dhaka after a successful recovery from a rare and severe case of measles. The newborn, who spent 12 days under medical supervision including a period in the intensive care unit (ICU), returned home with his parents on Thursday.
The infant was born on July 14 at a hospital in Shariatpur. Ten days after the birth, the child’s 15-year-old mother contracted measles, subsequently transmitting the virus to the newborn. Following a deterioration in the infant’s condition despite initial local treatment, the parents transferred him to the specialized pediatric facility in Dhaka on August 1. He was moved to the ICU the following day due to the severity of his illness.
Medical experts noted that the case is highly unusual, as newborns typically possess maternal antibodies that protect against measles until they are eligible for their first vaccine dose at nine months. Doctors identified the mother’s lack of immunization as the primary factor in the transmission. The mother, who was born in 2011, reportedly never received any childhood vaccinations due to the family residing in a remote riverine region, leaving both her and her infant vulnerable to the outbreak.
Professor Mirza Mohammad Ziaul Islam, Director of the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, described the situation as exceptionally dangerous given the infant’s fragile immune system. He noted that the hospital staff implemented heightened medical protocols immediately upon the child’s arrival. After rigorous testing and intensive care, the infant showed signs of improvement by the third day and was eventually transferred to the measles ward before receiving final clearance.
The child’s father, a landless agricultural worker who lost his home in Barishal to river erosion, struggled to manage the medical expenses. He borrowed more than 100,000 taka from relatives and community members to cover the treatment costs. Despite the financial strain, the father expressed profound relief at his son’s recovery and praised the medical team.
Reflecting on the ordeal, the father, who left school before completing primary education, expressed regret over his lack of formal knowledge regarding childcare and vaccinations. He stated his commitment to ensuring his son receives a proper education, hoping the child might one day become a doctor.
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