[Adverse events following BCG vaccination in infants and children up to 36 months of age].

The aim of the study is to evaluate frequency, treatment and clinical type of adverse reaction (AEFI) after BCG vaccination. Between January 2003 and December 2006, 64 children with AEFI after BCG vaccination were registered in the Pediatric Vaccination Centre in Lódź. Different types of AEFI were distinguished on the basis of Lotte's classification (1977). On the basis of 265 registered cases of adverse events after compulsory vaccination, 41.1% (109/265) of them appeared as a result of BCG vaccination. The AEFI clinical analysis showed that in children aged up to 36 months the most frequent symptoms were auxiliary lymphadenitis 67.2% (43/64) or local subcutaneous abscess. In 43.8% (28/64) of cases after BCG vaccination surgical treatment was needed, including 17.2% (11/64) of children who had lymphadenectomy. The majority of AEFI cases after BCG vaccination were observed in children up to 36 months. The AEFI clinical analysis showed that in children aged up to 36 months the most frequent symptoms were regional lymphadenopathy and local subcutaneous abscess. The second most important strategy in AEFI treatment is the cooperation with surgeons. Higher rates of local reaction may result from incorrect methods of BCG vaccine administration.