Measles in pregnancy and beyond

CMAJ Podcasts

CMAJ Podcasts
Measles in pregnancy and beyond
Jul 14, 2025
Canadian Medical Association Journal

Send us a text

Measles is resurging in Canada, with particularly serious implications for pregnant patients and newborns. A recent CMAJ article, Five things to know about measles in pregnancy, outlines the risks and clinical considerations. On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, we speak with one of the article’s co-authors, Dr. Michelle Barton-Forbes, about what physicians need to know when caring for pregnant patients during a measles outbreak. We also get an update on the current state of the outbreak in Canada from Dr. Marina Salvadori.

Dr. Michelle Barton-Forbes, division chief of infectious disease at the Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, highlights the risks of measles in pregnancy, including atypical presentations, preterm labour, and rare but severe complications like subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. She discusses the limitations of existing research, current guidance on immunoglobulin use in newborns, and the use of vaccines during pregnancy.

Dr. Marina Salvadori, senior medical advisor at the Public Health Agency of Canada, describes the scope of the ongoing measles outbreaks and their concentration in undervaccinated communities. She explains the public health challenges of engaging with vaccine-hesitant populations and outlines practical steps physicians can take to support informed vaccination decisions and to prevent further spread of the virus.

This episode offers physicians clinical guidance on recognizing measles in pregnancy, managing exposures and complications, and navigating conversations about vaccination during an ongoing outbreak.

Join us as we explore medical solutions that address the urgent need to change healthcare. Reach out to us about this or any episode you hear. Or tell us about something you'd like to hear on the leading Canadian medical podcast.

You can find Blair and Mojola on X @BlairBigham and @Drmojolaomole

X (in English): @CMAJ
X (en français): @JAMC
Facebook
Instagram: @CMAJ.ca

The CMAJ Podcast is produced by PodCraft Productions

Episode Artwork Measles in pregnancy and beyond 35:28 Episode Artwork New guidelines for managing hypertension in primary care 27:36 Episode Artwork Dengue and Oropouche infections are rising—what physicians need to know 31:00 Episode Artwork A history of medical mistrust and its echoes today 33:01 Episode Artwork How mifepristone changed abortion access, and how to prescribe it 35:28 Episode Artwork Stepping up: Canadian research in the shadow of cuts in the United States 25:12 Episode Artwork Perspectives on the new guideline for managing obesity in children 31:24 Episode Artwork ​​How short-term opioid prescriptions affect long-term outcomes 36:57 Episode Artwork The mortality risk and therapeutic potential of hallucinogens 31:03 Episode Artwork More access, more deaths: alcohol’s impact in the COVID-19 pandemic 31:12 Episode Artwork The major benefits of exercise for older adults 29:38 Episode Artwork Making healthcare accessible for patients with disabilities 37:40 Episode Artwork Diagnosing and managing necrotizing fasciitis 34:38 Episode Artwork Antimicrobial resistance and the shift to shorter courses of antibiotics 39:58 Episode Artwork ENCORE: AI versus physicians: who’s better at spotting high-risk patients? 32:46 Episode Artwork Scurvy and the challenge of food insecurity 33:04 Episode Artwork Misdiagnosed and misunderstood: premenstrual dysphoric disorder 34:33 Episode Artwork Exploring the link between diet and depression 30:42 Episode Artwork Compassionate and comprehensive care for early pregnancy loss 45:31 Episode Artwork Building support for pregnancy and parenthood in surgery 33:05 Episode Artwork Breaking the mold: embracing neurodiversity in medicine 29:01 Episode Artwork Prioritizing pain management during IUD insertions and other gynecologic procedures 36:38 Episode Artwork AI versus physicians: who’s better at spotting high-risk patients? 32:53 Episode Artwork Meningitis B outbreaks: vaccination and risk in university settings 30:49 Episode Artwork ENCORE: Confronting the high stakes of incivility in health care 37:55