[Site of BCG vaccine administration and development of hypertrophic scars]

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Immunology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination is widely used for tuberculosis prevention.
• Subcutaneous BCG administration can lead to localized skin reactions, including hypertrophic scars.
• The deltoid area is a common site for BCG vaccination, but associated scarring is a concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the incidence of hypertrophic scars following BCG vaccination at two different subcutaneous sites in children.
• To assess the efficacy of BCG vaccination in terms of tuberculin skin test (PPD) conversion at the alternative site.

Main Methods:

• A preliminary report involving two groups of children vaccinated subcutaneously with BCG.
• Group 1: Vaccination on the deltoid area.
• Group 2: Vaccination on the area between the spine and scapula.

Main Results:

• The incidence of hypertrophic scars was significantly higher in the deltoid area compared to the area between the spine and scapula.
• BCG vaccination on the area between the spine and scapula was as effective as deltoid vaccination in achieving PPD positivity.
• The risk of hypertrophic scars was minimized when vaccination was performed on the area between the spine and scapula.

Conclusions:

• Vaccinating children with BCG on the area between the spine and scapula reduces the risk of hypertrophic scarring.
• This alternative vaccination site maintains BCG efficacy for PPD conversion.
• The area between the spine and scapula is a potentially preferable site for subcutaneous BCG vaccination in children to minimize scarring.