What is the appropriate time for BCG vaccination in preterm infants?

Tuberculosis, a major public health problem is an important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries. BCG vaccination is recommended by World Health Organization for control of disease in countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis(l). This policy is routinely applied in preterm infants who may be at a greater risk of infection than term infants. That is why like term babies even preterm infants continue to get BCG vaccine within first few days of life. The efficacy of BCG vaccination and its protection against tuberculosis in the full term infant after birth has been shown by several studies^). This data cannot provide information on the effectiveness of BCG vaccination in preterm infants, furthermore preterm infants are also believed to be immunocompromised. It is of public health importance to find out whether preterm infants can be effectively and safely immunized with BCG vaccine as soon as possible after birth.