Related Experiment Videos
Immunisation of the preterm baby
Insights
Preterm infants demonstrate adequate immunity following routine childhood immunizations, regardless of gestational age. Prematurity does not necessitate adjustments to standard infant vaccination schedules for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Preterm infants may have altered immune responses to vaccinations.
- Standard infant immunization schedules are typically designed for full-term infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the immune response of preterm infants to routine childhood immunizations.
- To determine if gestational age affects vaccine response in preterm infants.
- To assess the need for modified immunization schedules in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- 69 preterm infants were grouped by gestational age (<32 weeks and 32-35 weeks).
- Infants received diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and oral poliomyelitis vaccines on one of three schedules.
- Antibody levels were measured before vaccination, after the third dose, at 19 months, and in some cases, at 4-5 years.
Main Results:
- All preterm infants achieved adequate immunity to the four infections after the third vaccine dose and at 19 months, irrespective of gestational age.
- Antibody persistence was observed before the pre-school booster, with an enhanced response post-booster.
- No significant differences in antibody response were noted based on gestational age.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants mount an adequate immune response to routine childhood immunizations.
- Standard immunization schedules can be applied to preterm infants without modification.
- Prematurity does not require a correction in the initiation of routine infant vaccinations.
Abstract:
The study was designed to quantify the preterm baby's response to routine childhood immunisations. A total of 69 preterm babies were put into two groups according to their gestational age: less than 32 weeks and between 32 and 35 weeks. Within each group the babies were randomly placed into one of three schedules for immunisation with diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and oral poliomyelitis vaccines at 3, 4 and 5 months; 3, 4, 5 and 18 months; and 3, 4 and 10 months. Antibodies were measured before immunisation, one month after the third vaccine dose and at age 19 months. Of these children, 30 had further antibody estimations when they were between 4 and 5 years of age. One month after the third immunisation and at 19 months of age all infants, independent of gestational age, had adequate immunity to the four infections. Children sampled before and after their pre-school booster, with few exceptions, showed persistence of protective antibody and an enhanced response to the booster dose respectively. No correction needs to be made for prematurity when initiating routine immunisation in premature infants.