Abstract
Eighty two infants, aged 2-12 months, were prospectively studied for infectious episodes following diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) immunization. The occurrence of infectious episodes during the month following vaccination was compared to that during the month prior to its administration. The 3 days following vaccination were not included. In comparison to the month prior to immunization, during the month following there were significantly more infants with fever (6.1% vs. 24.4%, p < 0.001), with diarrhea (7.3% vs. 23.1%, p < 0.005), and with cough (37.7% vs. 52.4% p N.S.).
After the first month of the study, there was an increase in morbidity in the region, so we reevaluated those cases who had been seen during the latter 3 months. The same trend was found: in the month following immunization there were significantly more infants with fever (5.3% vs. 25%, p < 0.005), with diarrhea (10.5% vs. 28%, p < 0.02), and with cough (26% vs. 54%, p < 0.01). There was no correlation between the incidence of these episodes and the age at vaccination.
In addition to reactive fever during the first 3 days following DPT immunization, an increase in infectious episodes seems to occur in infants during the month following administration of this vaccine.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.