Safety of DTaP-based combined immunization in very-low-birth-weight premature infants: frequent but mostly benign cardiorespiratory events.

Objective: To evaluate the safety of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-inactivated polio-Haemophilus influenzae type B (DTaP-IPV-HIB) immunization in premature infants.

Study Design: Observational study of 78 very low birth weight premature infants (mean gestational age, 28+/-2 weeks; mean birth weight, 1045+/-357 g) given DTaP-IPV-HIB vaccine before hospital discharge. Apnea, bradycardia, oxygen requirements and saturation, feeding practice, and medical interventions were assessed before and after immunization.