Neonatal BCG Vaccination for Prevention of Allergy in Infants: The MIS BAIR Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background: The beneficial off-target effects of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination potentially include protection against allergy.

Objective: In the MIS BAIR trial, we aimed to determine whether neonatal BCG vaccination reduces atopic sensitisation and clinical food allergy in infants.

Methods: In this randomised controlled trial, 1272 neonates were allocated to BCG-Denmark vaccine (0.

Discordance Between Diagnosis Tools for Assessing Eczema in Infants: A Challenge for Intervention Trials.

Background: There is no standardized definition for infant eczema, and various tools have been used across studies, precluding direct comparison.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess and to compare the accuracy of diagnostic tools for infant eczema using the extensive data collected in Melbourne Infant Study: BCG for Allergy and Infection Reduction (MIS BAIR), an eczema prevention trial.

Methods: Eczema incidence was assessed by 3 questionnaire-based measures: modified UK diagnostic tool, parent-reported medically diagnosed eczema, and parent-reported use of topical corticosteroids.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Skin Reaction Predicts Enhanced Mycobacteria-Specific T-Cell Responses in Infants: A Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Scar formation following bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination has been associated with lower all-cause mortality; the relation between scar and mycobacteria-specific protection against tuberculosis is debated. To evaluate the association between BCG skin reaction and mycobacteria-specific immune responses. A analysis was done among 214 infants in Australia randomized to vaccination with one of three BCG vaccine strains (BCG-Denmark, BCG-Japan, or BCG-Russia) given at birth or BCG-Denmark given at 2 months of age.

Feasibility and acceptability of targeted salivary cytomegalovirus screening through universal newborn hearing screening.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the feasibility and parental acceptability of screening for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) through saliva polymerase chain reaction in infants who did not pass their newborn hearing screening. Additionally, the utility (i.e.

Prevention of infant eczema by neonatal Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination: The MIS BAIR randomized controlled trial.

Background: Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine could play a role in counteracting the rising prevalence of atopic diseases, through its beneficial off-target effects. We aimed to determine whether neonatal BCG vaccination reduces the incidence of eczema in infants.

Methods: Randomized controlled trial with 1272 infants allocated to receive BCG-Denmark or no BCG at birth.

Neonatal Bacille Calmette-Guérin Vaccination and Infections in the First Year of Life: The MIS BAIR Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination has beneficial off-target effects that may include protecting against non-mycobacterial infectious diseases. We aimed to determine whether neonatal BCG vaccination reduces lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in infants in the Melbourne Infant Study: BCG for Allergy and Infection Reduction (MIS BAIR) trial.

Methods: In this investigator-blinded trial, neonates in Australia were randomized to receive BCG-Denmark vaccination or no BCG at birth.

Mycobacterium ulcerans-specific immune response after immunisation with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine.

Background: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine provides partial protection against Buruli ulcer caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans in epidemiological studies. This study aimed to quantify M. ulcerans-specific immune responses induced by BCG immunisation.

Neonatal BCG Vaccination Reduces Interferon-γ Responsiveness to Heterologous Pathogens in Infants From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: BCG vaccination has beneficial nonspecific (heterologous) effects that protect against nonmycobacterial infections. We have previously reported that BCG vaccination at birth alters in vitro cytokine responses to heterologous stimulants in the neonatal period. This study investigated heterologous responses in 167 infants in the same trial 7 months after randomization.

Study protocol for the Melbourne Infant Study: BCG for Allergy and Infection Reduction (MIS BAIR), a randomised controlled trial to determine the non-specific effects of neonatal BCG vaccination in a low-mortality setting.

Introduction: BCG vaccination reduces all-cause infant mortality in high-mortality settings by more than can be attributed to protection against tuberculosis. This is proposed to result from non-specific protection against non-vaccine targeted ('off-target') infections. There is also evidence that BCG protects against allergic diseases.

Neonatal BCG Vaccination Influences Cytokine Responses to Toll-like Receptor Ligands and Heterologous Antigens.

Background: BCG vaccination is associated with a reduction in all-cause infant mortality in high-mortality settings. The underlying mechanisms remain uncertain, but long-term modulation of the innate immune response (trained immunity) may be involved.

Methods: Whole-blood specimens, collected 7 days after randomization from 212 neonates enrolled in a randomized trial of neonatal BCG vaccination, were stimulated with killed pathogens and Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands to interrogate cytokine responses.

Associations between maternal size and health outcomes for women undergoing caesarean section: a multicentre prospective observational study (The MUM SIZE Study).

Objectives: To investigate associations between maternal body mass index (BMI) at delivery (using pregnancy-specific BMI cut-off values 5 kg/m higher in each of the WHO groups) and clinical, theatre utilisation and health economic outcomes for women undergoing caesarean section (CS).

Design: A prospective multicentre observational study.

Setting: Seven secondary or tertiary referral obstetric hospitals.

Dwell times and risk of non-elective removal of 1-French peripherally inserted central catheters according to catheter tip position in very preterm infants.

Unlabelled: We investigated dwell times and risk of non-elective removal of 975 single-lumen 1-French peripherally inserted central catheters (1FR-PICC) according to tip position in a cohort of very preterm infants with a mean (SD) gestational age of 27 (2) weeks and a mean (SD) birth weight of 988 (294) g over an eight-year period. Infants with a 1FR-PICC inserted for continuous infusion of intravenous fluids within the first 30 days of life were eligible. Dwell times of PICC with elective versus non-elective removal, risk of non-elective removal of PICC according to tip position, and differences between upper versus lower limb catheter insertion were analysed.

BNP, troponin I, and YKL-40 as screening markers in extremely preterm infants at risk for pulmonary hypertension associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is often complicated by pulmonary hypertension (PH). We investigated three biomarkers potentially suitable as screening markers for extremely preterm infants at risk of BPD-associated PH. In this prospective observational cohort study conducted in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit, 83 preterm infants with BPD born <28-wk gestation and still inpatients at 36-wk corrected age received an echocardiogram and blood tests of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), troponin I, and YKL-40.

Comparable CD4 and CD8 T cell responses and cytokine release after at-birth and delayed BCG immunisation in infants born in Australia.

Background: More than 120 million doses of BCG vaccine are administered worldwide each year. Most infants are given BCG at birth in accordance with WHO recommendations. However, the effect of the maturing neonatal immune system on the immune response and protection conferred by BCG remains uncertain.

Familial neonatal seizures in 36 families: Clinical and genetic features correlate with outcome.

Objective: We evaluated seizure outcome in a large cohort of familial neonatal seizures (FNS), and examined phenotypic overlap with different molecular lesions.

Methods: Detailed clinical data were collected from 36 families comprising two or more individuals with neonatal seizures. The seizure course and occurrence of seizures later in life were analyzed.

Accuracy of non-invasive blood pressure monitoring in very preterm infants.

Purpose: Blood pressure (BP) monitoring is an essential procedure in intensive care. There is controversy about the reliability of non-invasive BP measurements in very preterm infants. This prospective trial compared non-invasive BP monitoring with BP monitoring via an umbilical arterial catheter (UAC) in this population.

The influence of bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine strain on the immune response against tuberculosis: a randomized trial.

Rationale: Approximately 100 million doses of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine are given each year to protect against tuberculosis (TB). More than 20 genetically distinct BCG vaccine strains are in use worldwide. Previous studies suggest that BCG vaccine strain influences the immune response and protection against TB.