Diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis vaccination does not increase the risk of hospitalization with an infectious illness
Related Experiment Videos
L S Joffe1, M P Glode, M K Gutierrez
1Pediatric Infectious Disease, Children's Hospital, Denver, CO 80218.
Insights
This study found no link between diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis (DTaP) vaccination and subsequent hospitalization for infection in children. Children hospitalized for infection were less likely to have received DTaP immunization shortly before admission.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Childhood immunizations are crucial for preventing infectious diseases.
- Understanding factors associated with hospitalization for infection is important for public health.
- The diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis (DTaP) vaccine is a standard childhood immunization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between DTaP immunization and hospitalization for infection in children.
- To determine if recent DTaP immunization increases the risk of hospitalization for infectious illness.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study comparing hospitalized children with infection (cases) to matched non-hospitalized controls.
- Data collected on immunization status, breastfeeding, well-child visits, and birth characteristics.
- Statistical analysis to compare characteristics between cases and controls.
Main Results:
- Children hospitalized for infection were less likely to have received DTaP immunization within 30 days prior to hospitalization (P = 0.003).
- Cases were also less likely to have been breastfed (P < 0.001) and had fewer well-child visits (P = 0.01).
- Preterm birth, low birth weight, and day care attendance were more common in cases.
Conclusions:
- No association was found between receiving the DTaP vaccine and subsequent hospitalization for an infectious illness.
- Factors such as breastfeeding, well-child care, prematurity, low birth weight, and day care attendance may be associated with hospitalization for infection.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine whether children hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of infection were more likely than matched controls to have had a diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis immunization in the 30 days before hospitalization of the case. Cases were less likely than controls to have received an immunization (P = 0.003). They were also less likely to have been breast-fed (P < 0.001) and to have had a well-child care clinic visit (P = 0.01). Cases were significantly more likely to be preterm (< 38 weeks gestation), low birth weight (< 2500 g) and attending day care than their matched nonhospitalized controls (P = 0.003, 0.03 and 0.002, respectively). This study demonstrates no association between receipt of diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis immunization and subsequent hospitalization for an infectious illness.