Thøstesen LM, et al. - Studies have suggested that Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination may attenuate the risk of allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis. In this current study, it was demonstrated that among children with atopic predisposition, the number-needed-to-treat with BCG to prevent one case of atopic dermatitis was 21 (12 to 76).

Methods

• From 2012-2015, the Danish Calmette Study was conducted.
• New-borns were randomised 1:1 to BCG or no BCG within 7 days of birth.
• Exclusion criteria were gestational age <32 weeks, birth weight <1000 g, known immunodeficiency or no Danish-speaking parent.
• Until 13 months, via telephone interviews and clinical examinations, data were collected.

Results

• Findings showed that clinical atopic dermatitis was diagnosed in 466/2,052 (22.7%) children in the BCG group and 495/1,952 (25.4%) children in the control group (RR=0.90 (95% confidence intervals 0.80 to 1.00)).
• A significant difference was noted in the impact of neonatal BCG vaccination between children with atopic predisposition (RR 0.84 (0.74 to 0.95)) and children without atopic predisposition (RR 1.09 (0.88 to 1.37)) (test of no interaction, p=0.04).