BCG related complications: A single center, prospective observational study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although the BCG vaccine is usually a safe vaccine, a number of complications can occur, such as adverse local reactions, regional lymphadenitis, osteomyelitis and disseminated infection in immunocompromised children, with lymphadenitis being the most common complication. Our objective to describe the associated clinical characteristics and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted over two year's period. RESULTS: 100 patients were enrolled with (62%) males and (38%) females. 93 cases (93%) have nodes involvement with a total of 103 nodes was reported as follow: Axillary, supraclavicle, cervical with number of 75(72.8%), 23(22.3%), 5(4.9%) respectively. (55.3%) resulted in suppuration, and (44.7%) with non-suppuration. Only 3 cases (3%) had severe disease with dissemination, (88.3%) had small size nodes (< 3 cm), and (11.7%) with large size nodes (>3 cm). (88%) had self-limited disease, and node disappears between (8–168 weeks). CONCLUSION: In the Majority of BCG related lymphadenitis is a benign condition with spontaneous healing. Also there is Increase incidence of association between BCG vaccine and serious disseminated infections in immunodeficiency cases.