Do Different Vaccination Regimens for BCG and Hepatitis B Affect the Development of Allergic Disorders in Early Childhood?

Abstract

Aim. 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). Conclusion. 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.

Keywords:

• atopy
• BCG
• hepatitis B
• vaccine