Related Experiment Videos
Safety and effectiveness of BCG vaccination in preterm babies
S Thayyil-Sudhan1, A Kumar, M Singh
1Department of Paediatrics All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi India. sudlints@aol.com
Insights
Early BCG vaccination in preterm infants at 34-35 weeks shows effective cell-mediated immune response, similar to later vaccination. This supports timely Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunization for premature babies before discharge.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Preterm infants often have delayed vaccination schedules.
- Assessing the immune response to BCG vaccine in this population is crucial for effective tuberculosis prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cell-mediated immune response to the BCG vaccine in preterm infants.
- To compare the efficacy of early (34-35 weeks) versus late (38-40 weeks) postconceptional age BCG vaccination.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-two preterm infants (<35 weeks gestation) were randomized into early and late BCG vaccination groups.
- Cell-mediated immunity was assessed via Mantoux test and lymphocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) 6-8 weeks post-vaccination.
- A positive Mantoux test was defined as >5 mm induration.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in tuberculin conversion rates (80% vs. 80.7%) between early and late vaccination groups.
- Positive LMIT results (86.6% vs. 90.3%) and BCG scar formation (90.0% vs. 87.1%) were comparable across both groups.
- These findings indicate similar immune responses regardless of BCG vaccination timing in preterm infants.
Conclusions:
- Preterm birth does not appear to significantly impair BCG vaccine uptake or immunogenicity.
- BCG vaccination at 34-35 weeks postconceptional age is effective in preterm infants.
- This supports vaccinating preterm infants at the typical discharge age in developing countries.
Aim:
To assess the cell mediated immune response to BCG vaccine in preterm babies.
Methods:
Sixty two consecutive preterm babies born at < 35 weeks of gestation were randomly allocated into two groups. Babies in group A were vaccinated early at 34-35 weeks and group B were vaccinated late at 38-40 weeks of postconceptional age. The two groups were similar in terms of: gestational age (mean (SD) 33.1 (1. 1) and 33 (1.2) weeks, respectively); birthweight 1583 (204) and 1546 (218) g; neonatal problems; socioeconomic status; and postnatal weight gain. The cell mediated immune response to BCG was assessed using the Mantoux test and the lymphocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) 6-8 weeks after BCG vaccination. Induration of >5 mm after the Mantoux test was taken as a positive response.
Results:
There was no significant difference in the tuberculin conversion rates (80% and 80.7%, respectively), positive LMIT (86.6% and 90.3%, respectively), or BCG scar (90.0% and 87.1%, respectively) among the two groups.
Conclusions:
Prematurity seems to be an unlikely cause for poor vaccine uptake. Preterm babies can be effectively vaccinated with BCG at 34-35 weeks of postconceptional age, the normal time of discharge in a developing country.