MMR vaccination not linked to autism, yet again

	Tweet

New research shows that measles-mumps-rubella vaccination does not raise the risk of pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs), such as autism.

The current report is the latest of numerous studies to show no association between the MMR vaccine and autism.

As reported in this week’s issue of The Lancet medical journal, Dr. Liam Smeeth, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and colleagues conducted a study using the UK General Practice Research Database to assess the possible link between MMR vaccination and PDDs.

The analysis included 1294 subjects who were born in 1973 or later and had a PDD diagnosis on record between 1987 and 2001. They were compared with a control group of 4469 subjects who were matched by age, sex and general practice.

The authors found no evidence that MMR vaccination increased the risk of PDD. In fact, such vaccination was tied to a 14 percent reduction in the risk of PDD, although this could have occurred by chance, statistically.

The absence of an association between the MMR vaccine and PDD was also seen when the analysis was limited to children with autism, those vaccinated prior to the third birthday, or to the period before the media began coverage of the hypothesis linking MMR with autism.

“We have found no convincing evidence that MMR vaccination increases the risk of autism or other PDDs,” the investigators note. “Research into the real origins of autism is urgently needed.”

SOURCE: Lancet, September 11, 2004.

RELATED STORIES:
If parents think kids will drink, they likely will   Late talkers do fine as they grow up: study   Sociologists are not love doctors, but they can offer some insights   Validating preschool programs for children with autism   Older Patients with Dementia at Increased Risk for Flu Mortality   Should Children Be Told They Are ‘Test-Tube’ Babies?   Abnormal movements may identify autism early   Children of teen mothers have raised suicide risk   Stress may leave your mouth a mess   Women attracted to men who like children: study   New study finds links between video-game playing and health risks in adults   Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Can Help Treat Patients With Dental Phobia

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]