Is diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) associated with increased female mortality? A meta-analysis testing the hypotheses of sex-differential non-specific effects of DTP vaccine.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ten years ago, we formulated two hypotheses about whole-cell diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccination: first, when given after BCG, DTP increases mortality in girls and, second, following DTP there is an increase in the female/male mortality rate ratio (MRR). A recent review by WHO found no convincing evidence that DTP increases mortality in females.

Methods

We used previous DTP reviews as well as the recent WHO review for assessing the hypotheses. As pre-specified we excluded studies with survival or frailty bias; if children had received BCG and DTP simultaneously; and if the children had received neonatal vitamin A.

Results

In seven studies of BCG-vaccinated children, DTP vaccination was associated with a 2.54 (95% CI 1.68-3.86) increase in mortali

SUBMITTER: Aaby P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5155548 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature