Antibody response to accelerated Hib immunisation in preterm infants receiving dexamethasone for chronic lung disease

Aim-To study the effect of dexamethasone on the routine immunisation of pre term infants with chronic lung disease. Methods-Serum samples were obtained before and after immunisation from an u nselected cohort of 59 preterm infants. Haemophilus influenzae antibodies w ere measured using an ELISA method and differences in the geometric mean va lues between the two groups of babies analysed. Results-Sixteen infants received no dexamethasone. Before and after immunis ation antibody titres for those receiving no dexamethasone were 0.16 and 4. 63 meg IgG/ml. Corresponding values for those receiving dexamethasone were 0.10 and 0.51 meg IgG/ml, respectively. Conclusion-Dexamethasone used in the treatment of chronic lung disease seem s to significantly affect the antibody response of preterm infants to immun isation against Haemophilus influenzae.