Early BCG-Denmark and Neonatal Mortality Among Infants Weighing <2500 g: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sofie Biering-Sørensen, Peter Aaby, Najaaraq Lund, Ivan Monteiro, Kristoffer Jarlov Jensen, Helle Brander Eriksen, Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, Anne Sofie Pinstrup Jørgensen, Amabelia Rodrigues, Ane Bærent Fisker, Christine Stabell Benn

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    Abstract

    Background. BCG vaccine may reduce overall mortality by increasing resistance to nontuberculosis infections. In 2 randomized trials in Guinea-Bissau of early BCG-Denmark (Statens Serum Institut) given to low-weight (LW) neonates (<2500 g at inclusion) to reduce infant mortality rates, we observed a very beneficial effect in the neonatal period. We therefore conducted the present trial to test whether early BCG-Denmark reduces neonatal mortality by 45%. We also conducted a meta-analysis of the 3 BCG-Denmark trials. Methods. In 2008–2013, we randomized LW neonates to “early BCG-Denmark” (intervention group; n = 2083) or “control” (local policy for LW and no BCG-Denmark; n = 2089) at discharge from the maternity ward or at first contact with the health center. The infants were randomized (1:1) without blinding in blocks of 24. Data was analyzed in Cox hazards models providing mortality rate ratios (MRRs). We had prespecified an analysis censoring follow-up at oral poliovirus vaccine campaigns. Results. Early administration of BCG-Denmark was associated with a nonsignificant reduction in neonatal mortality rate (MRR, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], .47–1.04) and a 34% reduction (0.66; .44–1.00) when censoring for oral poliovirus vaccine campaigns. There was no reduction in mortality rate for noninfectious diseases, but a 43% reduction in infectious disease mortality rate (MRR, 0.57; 95% CI, .35–.93). A meta-analysis of 3 BCG trials showed that early BCG-Denmark reduced mortality by 38% (MRR, 0.62; 95% CI, .46–.83) within the neonatal period and 16% (0.84; .71–1.00) by age 12 months.ConclusionEarly administration of BCG-Denmark in LW infants is associated with major reductions in mortality rate. It is important that all LW infants receive early BCG in areas with high neonatal mortality rates. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT00625482.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalClinical Infectious Diseases
    Volume65
    Issue number7
    Pages (from-to)1183-1190
    ISSN1058-4838
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2017

    Bibliographical note

    This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial reproduction and distribution of the work, in any medium, provided the original work is not altered or transformed in any way, and that the work is properly cited.

    Keywords

    • Bacille Calmette-Guérin
    • Neonatal mortality
    • Heterologous immunity
    • Nonspecific effects

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