title: Safety and effectiveness of BCG vaccination in preterm babies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the cell mediated immune response to BCG vaccine in preterm babies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty two consecutive preterm babies born at < 35 weeks of gestation were randomly allocated into two groups. Babies in group A were vaccinated early at 34-35 weeks and group B were vaccinated late at 38-40 weeks of postconceptional age. The two groups were similar in terms of: gestational age (mean (SD) 33.1 (1. 1) and 33 (1.2) weeks, respectively); birthweight 1583 (204) and 1546 (218) g; neonatal problems; socioeconomic status; and postnatal weight gain. The cell mediated immune response to BCG was assessed using the Mantoux test and the lymphocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) 6-8 weeks after BCG vaccination. Induration of >5 mm after the Mantoux test was taken as a positive response.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in the tuberculin conversion rates (80% and 80.7%, respectively), positive LMIT (86.6% and 90.3%, respectively), or BCG scar (90.0% and 87.1%, respectively) among the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prematurity seems to be an unlikely cause for poor vaccine uptake. Preterm babies can be effectively vaccinated with BCG at 34-35 weeks of postconceptional age, the normal time of discharge in a developing country.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi India. sudlints@aol.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thayyil-Sudhan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Deorari
mesh_terms: D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D002464:Cell Migration Inhibition; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D014374:Tuberculin Test
chemical_list: D001500:BCG Vaccine