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Lymph node swelling due to bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination with multipuncture method
T Mori1, Y Yamauchi, K Shiozawa
1Research Institute of Tuberculosis, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, Tokyo.
Tubercle and Lung Disease : the Official Journal of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Lymph node swelling (lymphadenitis) after bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination affects 0.73% of children. Most cases resolve without treatment, but a small percentage develop complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Public Health
Background:
- Mass bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination is standard for young children in Japan.
- Lymph node swelling is a recognized complication of BCG vaccination.
- Previous management of lymph node swelling has sometimes been overly aggressive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of lymphadenitis following BCG vaccination using the multipuncture method.
- To describe the clinical characteristics of BCG-induced lymphadenitis.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 34,516 children aged 0-3 years vaccinated with BCG between 1985-1989 was observed.
- Parents received information on lymph node swelling and a reporting postcard.
- Cases with lymphadenopathy (nodes >7mm) were identified through clinic visits.
Main Results:
- The overall frequency of lymphadenopathy was 0.73%.
- Infants under 1 year and boys showed a higher incidence.
- Suppurative adenitis occurred in 0.02% of cases; most swelling resolved spontaneously within 2 months without intervention.
Conclusions:
- BCG vaccination via multipuncture method is associated with a low rate of lymphadenitis.
- Most cases of lymphadenitis are mild and self-limiting, requiring no specific treatment.
- Conservative management is generally appropriate for BCG-related lymphadenitis.