My husband has type 1 diabetes, and we are expecting a baby in two months. I’ve read about giving the BCG vaccine at birth as a preventative, but all the information seems to be old. Has this been found to be unsuccessful? Is that why there’s nothing recent on it?

In Europe, BCG was, for many years, given in the newborn period to prevent primary tuberculosis. Later, two American investigators argued that BCG inoculation in the Netherlands was associated with a diminution in the incidence of autoimmune diabetes. Their hypothesis and much of their similar later studies has been disproven which is probably why you have not come across any recent reports. The new baby’s chances of getting type 1A diabetes are, in any case, only about 7% if the inheritance is from the father.

DOB

[Editor’s comment: Dr. Classen has written extensively on issues concerning immunology and the onset of chronic diseases including diabetes. See Immunizations and Type 1 Diabetes for further information.

WWQ]

[Editor’s comment: Dr. Classen’s reports related to immunizations can be found on his vaccines.net web site. The web site is run by Classen Immunotherapies, Inc., owned by John Barthelow Classen, M.D., and author of the reports. Also, see our page about immunizations and Questions and Answers about Diabetes and Vaccines from the Centers for Disease Control web site.

JSH]