To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: No Link Between Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine and Autism Spectrum Disorders URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/21C85E.htm Doctor's Guide February 5, 2008
LONDON, UK -- February 5, 2008 -- There is no evidence for a link between the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism, finds research published ahead of print in the Archives of Disease in Childhood. A link between MMR and the development of autism was suggested following the publication in 1998 of research on 12 children. This link has since been discredited. The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders ranges from 6 to 12 cases per 1000 children, depending on how the diagnostic criteria are applied. The new findings are based on a community sample of almost 250 children aged between 10 and 12 years, from a population of 57,000, born between 1990 and 1991 in one area of Southern England. The sample comprised 98 children who had an autism spectrum disorder, and two comparison groups: 52 children with special educational needs but no evidence of autism spectrum disorders, and 90 children who were developing normally. Some of the children with autism had experienced a set-back or regression early in their development. All the children had been vaccinated against MMR, but not all of them had been given both doses. Blood samples were taken, to check for the presence of persistent measles infection or an abnormal immune response, indicated by circulating measles virus or increased antibody levels. Results of the blood sample analysis showed that there was no difference in circulating measles virus or antibody levels between the two groups of children. This finding was not affected by whether or not the child had received both doses of MMR or whether or not they had regression. Furthermore, there was no evidence of bowel symptoms (enterocolitis) among the autistic children, irrespective of whether or not they had regression. Children who were autistic and those with special educational needs were less likely to receive the second dose of MMR, possibly reflecting parental concern about vaccination following the diagnosis of a developmental abnormality. The authors point out that theirs is now the third, and largest, study that has failed to show a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. SOURCE: BMJ-British Medical Journal --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.