Evaluation of tuberculin response after BCG vaccination:by gestation and by age at immunization

ABSTRACT

Tuberculin response following BCG vaccination was evaluated in 3 groups of babies. One hundred and sixteen full term babies (Group I) were vaccinated with BCG at birth; 89 full term babies (Group II) received BCG at the end of third month of life and Group III was made up of 48 preterm babies (32-36 weeks) given BCG vaccination at birth. The sizes of PPD induration area [mm] (6.3+/-3.1 Vs 2.5+/-3.0; P< 0.00001) and BCG scar diameter (3.7+/-1.5 Vs 2.7+/-1.3; P< 0.0001) were significantly larger in full term than preterm babies all of whom were vaccinated at birth, whereas no significant difference was observed between full term babies who were vaccinated at different age. The complications of BCG vaccine were not observed in all study groups. This study suggests that tuberculin responses are equivalent at birth and at third month of age in full term babies. Although immune response is not fully developed in preterm babies (32 to 36 weeks of gestation), they can be safely immunized with BCG at birth.