Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 1999;80:F69-F71 ( January )

Antibody response to accelerated Hib immunisation in preterm infants receiving dexamethasone for chronic lung disease

M J Robinson,^a F Campbell,^a P Powell,^b D Sims,^c C Thornton^d

^a Neonatal Department, Hope Hospital, Salford, ^b Neonatal Department, Bolton General Hospital, Bolton, ^c Neonatal Department, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, ^d Centre for Applied Microbiological Research, Porton Down

Correspondence to: Dr M J Robinson, Department of Paediatrics, Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, Eccles Old Road, Salford M6 8HD.

Accepted 24 July 1998

AIMTo study the effect of dexamethasone on the routine immunisation of preterm infants with chronic lung disease.
METHODSSerum samples were obtained before and after immunisation from an unselected cohort of 59 preterm infants. Haemophilus influenzae antibodies were measured using an ELISA method and differences in the geometric mean values between the two groups of babies analysed.
RESULTSSixteen infants received no dexamethasone. Before and after immunisation antibody titres for those receiving no dexamethasone were 0.16 and 4.63 mcg IgG/ml. Corresponding values for those receiving dexamethasone were 0.10 and 0.51 mcg IgG/ml, respectively.
CONCLUSIONDexamethasone used in the treatment of chronic lung disease seems to significantly affect the antibody response of preterm infants to immunisation against Haemophilus influenzae.

Keywords: Hib immunisation; chronic lung disease; dexamethasone

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© 1999 by Archives of Disease in Childhood
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