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Is childhood vaccination associated with asthma? A meta-analysis of observational studies

Ran D Balicer1, Itamar Grotto, Marc Mimouni

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. rbalicer@netvision.net.il

Pediatrics
|November 3, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This review found no link between whole-cell pertussis or BCG vaccination and childhood asthma. Current evidence does not support a protective or provocative association between these vaccines and asthma risk.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pediatric Allergy
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • The relationship between childhood immunization and atopic diseases remains a topic of significant scientific debate.
  • Concerns persist regarding potential links between specific vaccines and the development of asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically evaluate existing evidence on the association between whole-cell pertussis and BCG vaccinations and the risk of asthma in pediatric and adolescent populations.
  • To synthesize findings from relevant studies to inform clinical and public health understanding.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive search of major medical databases (Medline, National Library of Medicine Gateway, Cochrane Library) was conducted for studies published between 1966 and March 2006.
  • Inclusion criteria required direct comparison of vaccinated and unvaccinated children, validated vaccination status, and predefined asthma criteria. Birth-cohort studies and randomized controlled trials were considered.
  • Data extraction utilized a standardized protocol, and results were analyzed using fixed-effect or random-effect models, with sensitivity analyses performed.

Main Results:

  • Seven studies on pertussis vaccination (186,663 participants) and five studies on BCG vaccination (41,479 participants) met the inclusion criteria.
  • No statistically significant association was observed between either whole-cell pertussis or BCG vaccination and the incidence of asthma in childhood or adolescence.
  • The lack of significant association was robust for BCG vaccination but not for pertussis vaccination upon sensitivity analysis.

Conclusions:

  • Current data, primarily from observational studies, do not substantiate a link, either positive or negative, between BCG or whole-cell pertussis vaccination and the risk of developing asthma.
  • Further research may be warranted to definitively clarify any potential long-term effects, although current evidence is reassuring.
Abstract

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