Harishchandra Venkata Yanamandala1
BACKGROUND
In developing countries, in both adults and children, tuberculosis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In 1993, it is declared as the first infectious disease by global health emergency.1 According to WHO report globally, there were an estimated 9.27 million ancient cases of TB in 2009. The cases reported were 8.3 million, the children covered an estimated percentage of 11 and it ranged from 3-25 percent.2 BCG vaccination was advocated for prevention of tuberculosis in children.
The aim of the study is to estimate serum ADA levels in newborns before BCG vaccination, serum ADA levels in children with and without BCG scar, after receiving BCG vaccination, serum ADA levels in children without BCG vaccination and to find significance of serum ADA levels in BCG vaccinated children by comparing the above groups.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was conducted at the Department of Paediatrics, Gitam Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Institute, October 2015 to September 2016. Babies who were in postnatal ward and infants of age of 12 weeks attending for BCG vaccination were included in the study. The total numbers of infants studied were 150.
RESULTS
In our study, out of 120 children included in the study before BCG vaccination comprising group-1, 61% were males and 39% were females. Out of 120 children received BCG vaccination, only 100 came for follow up comprising group-2, of which 67 (67%) were males and 33 (33%) were females. 15 children who did not receive BCG vaccination at 12 weeks of age were included in group 3 out of which 11 (73.33%) were males and 4 (26.67%) were females. Mean ADA levels at the age of 12 weeks in group-2 who were vaccinated at birth were 30.89 ± 5.27 U/L compared to mean ADA levels at the age of 12 weeks in group-3, which was 15.47 ± 1.85 U/L. This shows significant rise in mean ADA levels at 12 weeks of age in those who were vaccinated at birth comprising group-2 compared to their mean ADA levels at birth before vaccination comprising group-1. This difference is statistically significant with p value <0.001. On comparison of ADA levels in vaccinated and unvaccinated babies at 12 weeks of age is statistically significant with p value <0.001. On comparison of ADA levels in babies with scar and without scar after vaccination, there is no statistically significant difference (p value >0.05). ADA levels in scar negative BCG vaccinated and unvaccinated children at 12 weeks of age difference is statistically significant with p value <0.001.
CONCLUSION
There is increase in serum ADA levels in after BCG vaccination administration and even in without scar there by indicating adequate immunity.
