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The BCG scar size in asthmatic and non-asthmatic children
1Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur.
Insights
Asthmatic children tend to have smaller Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) scars compared to non-asthmatic children. This difference in BCG scar size may indicate variations in immune responses related to asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease in children.
- The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is widely used for tuberculosis prevention.
- BCG scar size has been explored as a potential indicator of cell-mediated immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the size of BCG scars in children diagnosed with asthma versus those without asthma.
- To determine if BCG scar size differs significantly between asthmatic and non-asthmatic pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study was conducted on 284 children aged 18-60 months, divided into asthmatic and non-asthmatic groups.
- BCG scar diameter was measured for all participants.
- Asthma diagnosis was based on family history of allergic disorders.
Main Results:
- Asthmatic children had a significantly smaller mean BCG scar diameter (5.8 mm) compared to non-asthmatic children (6.4 mm).
- 45.77% of asthmatic children had BCG scars less than or equal to 5 mm, versus 31.69% of non-asthmatics.
- Asthmatic patients showed a 1.82 times higher risk of having a smaller BCG scar (≤5 mm).
Conclusions:
- Asthmatic children exhibit smaller BCG scars than their non-asthmatic counterparts.
- BCG scar size may serve as a potential, albeit indirect, indicator related to immune system differences in pediatric asthma.
Objective:
To compare the BCG size in asthmatic and nonasthmatic children.
Methods:
The size of BCG scar of two groups of children (the asthmatic group with a family history of some allergic disorder like asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis or allergic conjunctivitis in the first degree blood relatives and the control non asthmatic group with no history of any allergic disorder in the child or in the first degree blood relatives) of age 18 to 60 months having weight at or above 5th centile and BCG scar on right arm with a history of BCG vaccination in the first month of life, coming to a paediatric Clinic at Liaqatpur on every Friday and Sunday from October 2007 to July 2008, was measured and compared.
Results:
Total 284 children were included for the study, 142 children in each group. The diameter of BCG scar was measured. 45.77% asthmatics compared to 31.69% nonasthmatics had BCG scar mark < or = 5 mm. The asthmatic patients demonstrated a 1.82 times greater risk of presenting a BCG scar diameter of < or = 5 mm when compared to the nonasthmatic group (odd ratio: 1.82; P = 0.0204). The mean (95% CI) diameter of BCG scar was 6.4mm (CI: 6.026082 to 6.775918 ) in the nonasthmatic group and 5.8mm ( 95% CI: 5.459303 to 6.146297) in asthmatic group. The difference was significant ( t test, P = 0.0204).
Conclusion:
Asthmatic children have smaller BCG scar as compared to nonasthmatic children.
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