BCG LYMPHADENITIS

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination as a part of the global expanded program for immunization. Although the BCG vaccine is usually a safe vaccine, a number of complications with lymphadenitis being the most common complication, can occur. AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical presentation and the histomorphological features of BCG adenitis in children. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients with BCG lymphadenitis presented between June 2010 and December 2013. The most common age of presentation was 3 months. In the majority (50) of the cases, the lymphadenitis involved ipsilateral left axillary nodes. Other sites of involvement included the left supraclavicular lymph nodes in 5 (8.3%) patients, and both the left axillary and supraclavicular lymph nodes were involved in 5 cases (8.3%). All the patients had history of BCG vaccination prior to the onset of lymphadenitis. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of BCG lymphadenitis is clinical. Parental education and awareness among paramedical personnel, including general practitioners, is essential so that prompt recognition and management of BCG adenitis can be ensured.