Child Undernutrition Linked to Global Measles Outbreaks: Study Finds - Video
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Overview
New research suggests that undernutrition may be exacerbating measles outbreaks in areas suffering from food insecurity. The findings are published in the journal Vaccine.
A study involving over 600 fully vaccinated children in South Africa found those who were undernourished had substantially lower levels of antibodies against measles.
Researchers tracked the children's growth over time as an indicator of undernutrition and measured their antibody levels through blood tests. Children who were stunted around age three had an average of 24% lower measles antibody levels by age five compared to their typical-sized peers.
"We need to vaccinate children against infectious diseases that are preventable and ensure they are protected," said first author Brenda Eskenazi, Professor Emerita of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. "This is especially important now, given that many known diseases are expected to spread with climate change."
Reference: Eskenazi, B., Rauch, S., Elsiwi, B., Bornman, R., Obida, M., Brewer, A., Ward, B. J., & Chevrier, J. (2025). Undernutrition and antibody response to measles, tetanus and Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination in pre-school south African children: The VHEMBE birth cohort study. Vaccine, 46, 126564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126564
Speakers
Dr. Bhumika Maikhuri
BDS, MDS
Dr. Bhumika Maikhuri is a medical correspondent with Medical Dialogues. She holds a BDS from Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and an MDS in Orthodontics from Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences. She regularly contributes articles on dental and general health topics, including fact checks, expert features, and public health updates. Her strong clinical and research background ensures depth and credibility in her writing.