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Bacille–Calmette–Guerin vaccination and the development of allergic disease in children: a randomized, prospective, single‐blind study
Author(s) -
Steenhuis T. J.,
Van Aalderen W. M. C.,
Bloksma N.,
Nijkamp F. P.,
Van Der Laag J.,
Van Loveren H.,
Rijkers G. T.,
Kuis W.,
Hoekstra M. O.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
clinical and experimental allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.462
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1365-2222
pISSN - 0954-7894
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02859.x
Subject(s) - medicine , vaccination , randomized controlled trial , placebo , disease , pediatrics , prospective cohort study , immunology , alternative medicine , pathology
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.