Everyone knows about the need to vaccinate children. There are several routine vaccinations that are given to infants. This is, in particular, DPT. Many parents have a question: why is their baby suddenly vaccinated not in the arm, not in the buttock, but in the thigh (in the anterolateral part of it), because this may seem illogical and incorrect to someone.
And immediately anxiety arises that something is wrong with the child. In fact, vaccination in the leg is an absolutely normal practice. Below we explain the reasons why this is done, and also discuss the possible consequences of such vaccination.
Why do children get leg shots?
All parents need to know that injection of any vaccines into the buttock is highly discouraged for children under three years of age:
- in the gluteal region, adipose tissue predominates, which interferes with the normal functioning of the vaccine and the formation of immunity;
- there is a high risk of mechanical damage to the sciatic nerve and large vessels, which can lead to severe inflammation and even disability.
Based on these features and in accordance with the decree of the sanitary doctor and WHO recommendations, in children under three years of age, the injection site for any vaccines is the middle third of the anterolateral surface of the thigh. For older children, as well as adults, vaccines are placed in the lateral surface of the arm, in the deltoid muscle of the shoulder.
Every parent has every right to control not only the quality of the vaccine, but also the method of vaccination.
Why are children vaccinated in the hip?
Just a few years ago, the vaccination procedure was considered standard, in which an injection was made into the baby’s buttock. But numerous studies in this area have proven a certain danger to the child’s health. Among the recommendations of leading surgeons and pediatricians who explain the need to inject drugs into the outer thigh:
- The gluteal muscles are characterized by a high content of adipose tissue. After administration, the vaccine becomes less effective, and the formation of immunity to the antigen received by the body worsens.
- If the needle hits the nerve trunk, the baby is damaged. Sensory disturbances occur, the child pulls his leg, does not stand on it, and complains of pain and burning. According to pediatricians, 5–6% of children have abnormalities of the vessels located in the gluteal muscle, so the risk of injury is high.
- On the front of the thigh, the fat layer is small, there are no large vessels and nerve endings. After administration, the vaccine is absorbed into the blood faster and does not remain in the muscle fibers.
Considering the serious complications that occur when the sciatic nerve is damaged, many countries have long abandoned the practice of vaccination in the buttock. Some doctors of the “old format” are trying to prove that the injection will be more painful and unpleasant. But experienced specialists are confident that with careful work by medical personnel, it is easy to avoid hematoma and discomfort.
What vaccination is given to children's legs?
The main vaccination, which should be given specifically in the leg (femoral part) of children under two years of age, is DPT. It contains pertussis vaccine and purified concentrated diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. DTP begins at 3 months, then at 4.5 and then at 6 months.
Revaccination is carried out at 18 months, then at 6-7 and 14 years, and then every 10 years. For the first four vaccinations (full course of vaccination), DPT is used. And subsequent revaccination is carried out with the ADS vaccine without the pertussis component.
DPT vaccine
Today there are vaccines combined with DTP:
- Pentaxim (DPT + polio + hemophilus influenzae infection);
- Tetrakok (DTP + polio);
- Tritanrix-NV (DTP + hepatitis B).
The pertussis component is the most severe for the body. It causes a strong response from the child’s body, and therefore in our country revaccination is carried out without pertussis vaccine.
For revaccination, the following vaccines without the pertussis component are used:
- ADS (domestic) and D.V.Vax (foreign) - against diphtheria and tetanus;
- children aged 6 years are given ADS-m (“m” means toxoids with a reduced content of the active substance) and Imovax D.T.Adult – against the same diseases;
- AS – separately against tetanus;
- AD-m – separately against diphtheria.
The DTP vaccine is currently considered one of the most severe. Sometimes it gives a strong response in children. Naturally, parents have questions about the need for vaccination, and some refuse vaccination altogether.
Such parents need to be reminded that the infant mortality rate for diphtheria is 50%, for tetanus - 80-90%. Before mass immunization, almost 100% of children suffered from whooping cough; many had serious complications.
Compliance with all medical rules for vaccination allows you to minimize the risk of complications, but guarantees the formation of reliable immunity against extremely dangerous diseases in the child.
Consequences of injection of the vaccine into the thigh
The DPT vaccine contains artificially killed pertussis germs, and it is to this component that, as a rule, children develop allergies and other undesirable consequences. For the first time, DTP is given at 3 months, when a natural decrease in protective properties occurs, and this, in combination with the introduction of foreign agents (albeit non-living), leads to negative reactions of the child’s body.
Post-vaccination reactions are divided into two main groups:
- local;
- general, when somatic reactions of the whole body are observed (malaise, high temperature and other changes in well-being).
Local reactions include:
- compaction and redness at the site of DPT injection. Such changes last for 2-3 days, which is considered normal. If the swelling and redness do not go away or increase, you should immediately consult a doctor;
- Sometimes a local allergic reaction is observed, manifested by hyperemia and swelling. Often this is a normal response of the child’s body to the introduction of a foreign substance (in this case, toxoids and non-living pertussis microbes);
- if a lump appears at the site of DTP administration and it increases, this condition may indicate an acute purulent inflammatory process due to infection during vaccination. This condition requires urgent medical intervention;
- If the child feels severe pain, anxiety, or limps on the leg where the vaccine was injected, this may indicate an incorrect injection site and nerve fiber damage. A doctor's consultation is required.
Common ones include:
- toxic reactions, expressed by vomiting, hyperthermia, rapid deterioration in health. The child becomes restless, irritable and whiny;
- damage to the nervous system, expressed by the child’s anxiety, prolonged screaming, and the appearance of seizures. However, such reactions are often temporary.
Parents should understand that when vaccinated with DTP, the baby’s immunity decreases, and when a concomitant infection occurs, a cough, sore throat, and redness of the tonsils are sometimes observed for several days.
If any manifestations of undesirable reactions in a child to DPT, it is necessary to contact a pediatrician as soon as possible in order to avoid serious complications.
Adverse reactions from leg vaccinations
A number of side effects are considered a normal immune response to vaccination: temperature up to 38C, redness, swelling, accompanied by thickening of the skin, as well as allergies at the injection site.
Reactions of this kind are classified as natural, that is, they can go away in 2-3 days without special therapy.
Vaccinations given in the leg are difficult to tolerate. Therefore, in addition to the usual reaction, hyperthermia (up to 40C) and symptoms of a cold are likely.
You should consult a doctor if you have a prolonged fever, pain and redness of the throat, cough, vomiting, or convulsions.
What to do if your baby’s leg hurts after vaccination?
Sometimes after the injection the child complains of pain in the leg.
But if the symptoms are minor or moderate, then this is quite acceptable. DPT often causes a local pain reaction, which goes away on its own on the third day. Of course, you can use some pain-relieving ointments and gels, as well as some traditional methods, for example, applying cabbage leaves or peeled potatoes. But self-medication is unacceptable, since generally accepted pain-relieving procedures can have the opposite effect when reacting to DTP.
Therefore, the use of any medications, as well as the use of traditional methods of treatment, is possible strictly after consultation with a doctor in order to avoid negative reactions and serious complications. If the pain is pronounced and causes severe anxiety in the child in combination with other negative reactions, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor.
Video on the topic
A practicing allergist-immunologist on what to do if a child limps after a leg vaccination:
The DTP vaccine is considered quite difficult for a child’s body, and the vaccination period is a big burden on the baby himself and his loved ones. It is accompanied by worries, anxiety, visits to doctors and pharmacies. But this vaccine is one of the most necessary; it allows you to create reliable immunity against dangerous diseases.
And in order to get rid of doubts and unnecessary worries about the use of DTP, you need to consult with your doctor in advance on how to properly prepare the child and prepare yourself for this procedure.
What vaccinations are given to children in the hip?
The child's vaccination schedule includes several vaccines against dangerous diseases. To develop lasting immunity, some of them are done repeatedly, helping the baby’s body to form natural defenses. The following vaccines are administered in the front of the thigh:
- Hepatitis B. The first administration is recommended on the 3rd day after birth, if there are no contraindications. It must be repeated after a month and six months to maintain protection against a dangerous disease.
- DPT. The vaccination is complex and contains antigens for serious diseases: whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus. According to the vaccination calendar, at least 3 injections are required to form stable immunity.
- PDA or MMR. The vaccine contains antibodies to the most common diseases that have serious complications: measles, rubella and mumps. With complex administration, the baby’s body copes well with antigens and tolerates vaccination with minimal consequences.
These vaccines are mandatory. For children with poor health or severe chronic diseases, the pediatrician selects a vaccination schedule individually and may offer additional vaccinations (against herpervirus or pneumococcal infection).
All of the above vaccinations, as recommended by doctors, should be given to the anterolateral part of the thigh. After age 3, some injections may be given in the deltoid muscle or shoulder (side of the arm).
All of the above vaccinations, as recommended by doctors, should be given to the anterolateral part of the thigh. After age 3, some injections may be given in the deltoid muscle or shoulder (side of the arm).
