The Investigation of Mumps and its Complications in Childhood

Objective: Mumps is an acute viral infection which is generally encountered among school-age children and young adults. In postpubertal patients, its clinical course is more severe and may cause serious complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and laboratory outcome with therapy and the prognosis of mumps cases in our hospital.Material and Method: In this study, 131 patients diagnosed with mumps were evaluated regarding demographic and clinical characteristics between May 2007 and May 2008. Results: Of the patients, 74 (56%) were male and 57 (44%) were female, and the mean age of the patients was 7.4±3.5 years (range, 9 months-16 years). The incidence of mumps was higher in June (49 cases, 37%). The most common complications were aseptic meningitis, epidydimo-orchitis and thrombocytopenia. Remission was obtained in all patients.Conclusions: Mumps continues to be an important problem for public health in the country. Considering that complications increase especially in advanced age, and the few side-effects with high conservation value of measles-mumps-rubella vaccines, routine vaccination for all children is beneficial.