Do different vaccination regimens for BCG and hepatitis B affect the development of allergic disorders in early childhood?
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether age at bacilli Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and hepatitis B vaccination has an effect on the development of atopy and allergic disorders in early childhood.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study of 109 children aged between 24 and 36 months with respiratory system diseases. The study population was divided into two groups according to vaccination regimens: group 1, beginning hepatitis B vaccination at birth and receiving BCG vaccine at two months of age; group 2, receiving BCG vaccine at birth and beginning hepatitis B vaccination at two months of age. Atopic status was assessed by skin-prick tests (SPTs).


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in atopy between two groups (p = 0.27). However, the prevalence of recurrent wheezing was higher in group 1 (36.4%) than group 2 (16.3%) (p = 0.04). Logistic regression analysis identified receiving BCG vaccine at birth and beginning hepatitis B vaccination at the age of two months were protective for recurrent wheezing (odds ratio 0.5; confidence interval: 0.3-0.8; p = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
We believe that the administration of BCG vaccine at birth and hepatitis B vaccine at two months may be protective against recurrent wheezing but doesn't prevent atopy.
Dilli
Dilek
D
Department of Paediatrics, Ministry of Health, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. dilekdilli2@yahoo.com
Bostanci
Ilknur
I
Dallar
Yildiz
Y
D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000276:immunology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D012882:Skin Tests; D013997:Time Factors
D001500:BCG Vaccine; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines