Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundThis study was done to determine antibodies to measles, mumps, and rubella within the first 2 weeks of life and 3 months of age in premature infants.MethodsAll premature infants (<32 weeks' gestation) weighing less than 1,000 g and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit were eligible for inclusion in the study. Measles, mumps, and rubella titers were obtained from the mother and from the infant during the first 2 weeks of life and at 3 months of age.ResultsA total of 44 maternal-infant pairs were enrolled. At birth, 45% of the infants were seronegative for measles, 55% for mumps, and 48% for rubella. Maternal samples revealed seronegativity in 14%, 3%, and 17%, respectively. By 3 months of age, 100% of infants were seronegative for mumps and rubella, and 94% were seronegative for measles.ConclusionsThe majority of prematurely born infants are seronegative for measles, mumps, and rubella by 3 months of age and therefore are presumably susceptible to infection during the first year of life.