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Apnea after immunization of preterm infants
P J Sánchez1, A R Laptook, L Fisher
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, USA.
The Journal of Pediatrics
|May 1, 1997
Summary
Vaccinations with diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and HibC vaccines may cause temporary apnea recurrence in preterm infants. Monitoring cardiorespiratory status post-immunization is recommended for vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Preterm infants may experience apnea of prematurity.
- Routine immunizations are critical for infant health.
- Assessing vaccine safety in vulnerable populations is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate adverse reactions, specifically apnea, in preterm infants post-immunization.
- To determine the frequency of apnea recurrence after DTP and HibC vaccination.
Main Methods:
- Prospective surveillance of 97 preterm infants (gestational age < 37 weeks) in the NICU.
- Data collected for 72 hours before and after DTP and Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate (HibC) vaccination.
- Focused assessment on apnea and bradycardic episodes.
Main Results:
- 12% of preterm infants had apnea recurrence; 11% had a significant increase in apneic/bradycardic episodes.
- Adverse events were more common in smaller infants, those immunized at lower weights, with severe apnea, or chronic lung disease.
- Most infants tolerated DTP and HibC vaccines without significant issues.
Conclusions:
- A temporal association exists between DTP/HibC immunization and transient apnea increase in preterm infants.
- Further research is warranted to understand this association.
- Cardiorespiratory monitoring post-vaccination may be advisable for at-risk preterm infants.