Estimation of poliovirus immunoglobulin G antibodies level in the healthy, overweight, and obese children

Background Obesity is a disease of multiple complex causes, leading to accumulation of excess body fat owing to imbalance between energy intake and output. Adiposity produces a state of chronic inflammation that adversely affects the immune system, which could affect the response to vaccination. Aim To evaluate the effect of overweight and obesity on the polio-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies (anti-polio immunoglobulin G) production in a sample of Egyptian children. Patients and methods This case–control study was conducted at Al Azhar University Hospital from February 2019 to February 2020. It included 150 children, aged 24 months. According to BMI centiles, they were classified into three groups: obese group and overweight group, each included 45 children, and 60 nonobese age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls. All children fulfilled both the obligatory vaccination schedule as well as additional doses. Assessment of anti-polio antibody production was done using qualitative enzyme immunoassay technique kits. Results A significantly higher anti-polio antibody production was observed in nonobese group compared with both obese and overweight children. Additional doses of polio vaccine were associated with a significant increase in antibody titer in healthy children but not in either overweight or obese children. Conclusion Obesity and overweight adversely affect the antibody production against polio vaccine.