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Research Article Volume 15 Issue 3
Seroprevalence profile of antibodies against measles in mother–child pairs in Libreville (Gabon) in 2024
Koumba Maniaga R, Lembet Mikolo AM, Nzila Matoumba GM, Mayebe D, Mintsa Mi Nkama E, Mboungani M, Loulouga P, Busughu Bu Mbadinga I, Kuissi Kamgaing E, Ategbo S
Received: November 24, 2025 | Published: December 16, 2025
Citation: Maniaga KR, Mikolo LAM, Matoumba NGM, et al. Seroprevalence profile of antibodies against measles in mother–child pairs in Libreville (Gabon) in 2024. J Pediatr Neonatal Care. 2025;15(3):196-200. DOI: 10.15406/jpnc.2025.15.00607
Abstract
Introduction: The occurrence of measles in the neonatal period is possible if the newborn is born to a mother who does not have natural or vaccine-induced immunity. Our objective was to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against measles in mother-child pairs in Libreville from October 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. Patients and methods: This was a multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical objectives conducted over a 6-month period. The study population consisted of mother-infant pairs admitted to the delivery room in five public health facilities in Libreville. Demographic data for the mothers and newborns, as well as data relating to the mothers’ vaccination status, were analyzed. Results: 92 mother-child pairs were included. The average age of the mothers was 27.40 ± 6.70 years (range 17 to 44 years). In 68.50% (n=63) of cases, the vaccination status was unknown; the mothers were students (44.60%) and primiparous (56.50%). Measlesspecific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were detected in 82.60% of pregnant women. In newborns, measles-specific IgG antibodies were present in 76.10% of cases. A strong correlation was observed between the levels of measles-specific IgG antibodies in newborns and those in their mothers (r = 0.87; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: A large proportion of pregnant women has protective levels of measles antibodies and transfers them to their newborns. However, some mothers remain below the recommended threshold. It would be advisable to advocate for the vaccination of women of childbearing age.
Keywords: seroprevalence, measles antibodies, mother-child, Libreville-Gabon
©2025 Maniaga, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.