Neonatal BCG Research Articles

Tuberculin response after neonatal BCG vaccination.

Of a total of 846 children of Indian subcontinent ethnic origin given neonatal BCG vaccination, 823 (97%) were tuberculin positive when tested six to nine weeks after vaccination. The results show an initial immunological response to the vaccination. The possible reasons for the disparity between these results and others are discussed.

Neonatal bcg vaccination and mycobacterial cervical adenitis in childhood

Mycobacterial cervical adenitis is an uncommon disease in children in Finland. During 10 years, from 1977–1986, its incidence was of the order of 0.3/year/100 000 children. Of the 12 bacteriologically verified cases, M. avium-intracellulare was isolated in nine, M. malmoense in two and M. tuberculosis in only one case. Neonatal BCG vaccination seemed to protect children against non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection, especially at 1–4 years of age. In Sweden, where neonatal BCG vaccination has been discontinued, the incidence of non-tuberculous mycobacterial adenitis is at least 30 times greater.

Incidence of childhood tuberculosis after neonatal BCG vaccination: Curtis HM, Leck I, Bamford FN. Lancet 1984; 1: 145–148

Incidence of childhood tuberculosis after neonatal BCG vaccination: Curtis HM, Leck I, Bamford FN. Lancet 1984; 1: 145–148

INCIDENCE OF CHILDHOOD TUBERCULOSIS AFTER NEONATAL BCG VACCINATION

Neonatal BCG vaccination has long been offered routinely to children born at St Mary's Hospital (SMH), Manchester, England, whereas the city's other obstetric hospitals have generally restricted this procedure to children of Asian origin and those with a family history of tuberculosis. Among children aged 0-14 years who had been born to Manchester residents in 1965-80, 65 presented with tuberculosis in 1975-80 whilst still resident in the city. The estimated incidence rate was less than half as high among all children born at SMH as among those not born there, largely because the rate for those born and vaccinated at SMH was less than one-quarter of that for those born elsewhere. Children with Bangladeshi, Indian, or Pakistani surnames also shared in the reduced risk associated with vaccination. These findings strongly support the effectiveness of neonatal BCG vaccination.