Bacille–Calmette–Guerin vaccination and the development of allergic disease in children: a randomized, prospective, single‐blind study
TJ Steenhuis, WMC Van Aalderen… - Clinical & …, 2008 - Wiley Online Library
TJ Steenhuis, WMC Van Aalderen, N Bloksma, FP Nijkamp, J Van Der Laag, H Van Loveren…
Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2008•Wiley Online LibraryBackground The increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases in countries with a so‐
called western lifestyle may be due to a decrease in exposure to infectious agents in early
life. Objective To establish the effect of Bacille–Calmette–Guerin (BCG) vaccination in 6‐
week‐old high‐risk infants in a prospective single‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled
trial on the prevalence of allergic disease at the age of 4 and 18 months. Methods Subjects
were 121 predominantly Caucasian high‐risk newborns, having either a mother, or both a …
called western lifestyle may be due to a decrease in exposure to infectious agents in early
life. Objective To establish the effect of Bacille–Calmette–Guerin (BCG) vaccination in 6‐
week‐old high‐risk infants in a prospective single‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled
trial on the prevalence of allergic disease at the age of 4 and 18 months. Methods Subjects
were 121 predominantly Caucasian high‐risk newborns, having either a mother, or both a …
Summary
Background The increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases in countries with a so‐called western lifestyle may be due to a decrease in exposure to infectious agents in early life.
Objective To establish the effect of Bacille–Calmette–Guerin (BCG) vaccination in 6‐week‐old high‐risk infants in a prospective single‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial on the prevalence of allergic disease at the age of 4 and 18 months.
Methods Subjects were 121 predominantly Caucasian high‐risk newborns, having either a mother, or both a father and at least one sibling with past or present allergic disease. BCG or placebo was administered at the age of 6 weeks, and repeated once when both a post‐vaccination scar and a positive TB skin test were absent at the age of 4 months.
Results At the age of 18 months, the prevalence of allergic disease was not significantly different between the two groups. A trend towards less eczema (P=0.07) and significantly less use of medication for eczema was shown in the BCG group compared with the placebo group (P=0.04).
Conclusion A single (or once repeated) BCG vaccination in 6‐week‐old high‐risk Caucasian infants was not associated with a 50% reduction in the prevalence of allergic disease. However, there could be a smaller beneficial effect of BCG, especially because a trend towards less eczema and significantly less use of medication for eczema was shown. For definite proof, a larger study should be carried out.
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