Clinical Outcome of Children with Post Bacillus Calmette and Guerin Vaccination Complications: A Single Center Experience

Background: Bacillus Calmette ET Guerin (BCG) vaccine, compulsory in endemic areas, remains the only available vaccine for prevention of Tuberculosis (TB) despite its modest protective value. Complications may arise in healthy/ immunocompromized hosts. Methods: Children presenting with BCG vaccine related complications in the form of local/distant complications were enrolled from 2007-2010 at Cairo University Pediatric hospital. Objectives: Assess outcome of BCG related complications in a group of children with post vaccination incidents, identify risk factors for complications among vaccinated children and identify cases of underlying Primary Immunodeficiency (PID) among presenting cases. Results: Fifty one eligible patients were included, forty three were proved immunocompetent, and eight had underlying primary immunodeficiency disorders. Presentations included localized axillary lymphadenopathy, cervical sinuses, granulomatous lesions and disseminated forms Faulty injection sites were strongly associated with complications (p value < 0.001). Patients without underlying PID had larger scar size and younger age at presentations (p values: 0.02, 0.0001 respectively).Resolution of lesions was observed in 97% (95% CI 97% ± 3%) of cases without underlying PID versus fatal outcome in all cases with underlying immune defects. Conclusion: Local BCG related complications do not necessarily indicate underlying PID, disseminated complications are more serious and warrant further investigations. If PID is suspected, vaccination should be deferred to avoid its potentially fatal outcome.