Measles infection in childhood is associated with worse cognitive and midlife health: Evidence from the 1970 British Cohort Study

Background
The measles virus is a highly contagious pathogen known not only for acute complications but also for its lasting impact on immune function. By depleting pre-existing immune memory, measles may increase long-term vulnerability to chronic disease and cognitive impairment. Consequences for later life health remain poorly understood.

Methods
We used data from the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70; n = 12 783). Approximately half the cohort contracted measles before age 10 due to the timing of the UK vaccine rollout. Childhood measles infection was ascertained by parental report at age 10. Outcomes included cognitive assessments at ages 10, 16, and 46; self-reported hypertension and diabetes; and clinical biomarkers at age 46. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) was used to account for the socioeconomic patterning of measles exposure.

Results
Childhood measles infection was associated with lower cognitive scores in several domains at age 10, 16, and 46. Measles infection was also associated with higher odds of hypertension, lower CMV IgG seropositivity, and lower IGF-1, but no association was observed with diabetes, blood pressure, or other biomarkers by age 46.

Conclusions
Measles infections are on the rise in many countries. Childhood measles infection may have not only acute health effects, but also lasting impacts on cognition and cardiometabolic health. Our results highlight the broader protective benefits of measles vaccination beyond preventing acute infection and suggest a need for deeper mechanistic studies using longitudinal biomarkers.