Abstract
The Am. Acad. of Peds. currently recommends primary immunization in preterm infants with full dose FD (0.5ml) DPT vaccine at at 2, 4 & 6 mos. after birth. Pediatricians, in an attempt to lessen side effects in preterm infants, often administer this vaccine in reduced dosage. No data exist to support this practice. This study was designed to quantitate the immune response of preterm infants immunized with half dose HD (0.25ml) vaccine and to determine the nature and extent of side effects. 10 study infants (mean ± SD BW 1.4±.3 kg, GA 31 ±2 weeks) were immunized with HD vaccine IM at 2, 4, & 6 mos. after birth. 22 preterm infants of similar BW & GA immunized with FD vaccine at the same time intervals served as controls. Prior to each immunization & 2 mos. after the 3rd, DPT specific antibodies were quantitated. Side effects were determined by parental report. The table demonstrates the % of preterm infants receiving HD & (in parenthesis those receiving FD) who had D & T protective antibodies, and % conversion for P at each time interval.
D & T antibody titers were protective after DPT #2 in both groups, but the immune response to P antigen was inadequate in the HD group even after DPT#3. There were no significant differences in incidence or severity of side effects between treatment groups. Therefore, we strongly recommend that preterm infants receive full dose vaccine at the routine time intervals to insure adequate protection.
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Bernbaum, J., Daft, A., Samuelson, J. et al. HALF DOSE DPT VACCINE INADEQUATE FOR PRETERM INFANTS. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 227 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00807
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00807