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Cited by 63Virology and Viral DiseasesIntramuscular injections and effectsPharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reactions

Joint and limb symptoms in children after immunisation with measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine

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Benjamin, C. M., Chew, G. C., Silman, A. J.·1992·BMJ
DOI 10.1136/bmj.304.6834.1075PMC PMC1881909
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine increases the incidence of joint and limb symptoms in young children. DESIGN: Comparison of six week recalled incidence of symptoms in two groups of children: children who had been immunised at the start of the six weeks, and children eligible for immunisation but who had not received it. SETTING: South Manchester Health Authority. SUBJECTS: 2658 children immunised during July 1989-February 1990 and 2359 not yet immunised. Questionnaires were returned for 1846 immunised children and 1075 not immunised. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Recalled rate of joint and limb episodes determined by postal questionnaire and later by clinical follow up. RESULTS: Compared with non-immunised children the immunised group had an increased incidence of new episodes (relative risk 1.6 (95% confidence interval (1.2 to 2.1)) and first ever episodes, though this was not significant (1.7 (0.3 to 3.5)). The risk of first episodes was increased in girls (3.5 (1.1 to 12.2)) but not in boys (1.0 (0.4 to 2.6)). Similarly, an increased risk was seen in children aged under 5 (12.0 (1.6 to 92.3)) but not in older children (0.7 (0.3 to 1.5)). Most episodes were mild and self limiting, but three immunised children required hospital referral. CONCLUSION: Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is associated with an increased risk of episodes of joint and limb symptoms, especially in girls and children under 5. The risk of frank arthritis is substantially less than after wild rubella infection.

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  • In Benjamin 1992, the MMR vaccine was associated with an increased risk of episodes of joint and limb symptoms in girls less than five years of age.

    “The study by Benjamin found that the MMR vaccine was associated with an increased risk of episodes of joint and limb symptoms in girls less than five years of age (Benjamin 1992).”

    From Vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella in children (2012) · cites this paper as Benjamin 1992

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. International conference on rubella immunisation. ArnJ Dis Chlild 1969;118: 1-410.
  2. Balfour HH, Balfour CL, Edelman CK, Rierson I'A. Evaluation ofWistar RA 27/3 rubella virus vaccine in children. Amj D)is Clhild 1976;130:1089-91.

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Authors
Benjamin, C. M., Chew, G. C., & Silman, A. J.
Affiliations
University of Manchester (GB)
ORCID
Venue
BMJ
Publisher
BMJ
Published
1992-04-25
Volume
304
Issue
6834
Pages
1075-1078
ISSN
  • 0007-1447 (ISSN-L)
  • 0959-8138
  • 1468-5833
DOI
10.1136/bmj.304.6834.1075
PMC
PMC1881909
OpenAlex
W2047820619
Cited by
63
References
15
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 3
FWCI
2.49
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • BMJ (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Virology and Viral Diseases
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Intramuscular injections and effects
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reactions
Keywords
MMR vaccine, joint symptoms, vaccine adverse events, childhood immunization, arthritis, joint hypermobility, sex differences, age differences, hospital referral
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Arthritis, Child, Child, Preschool, Drug Combinations, Female, Humans, Infant, Male, Measles Vaccine, Mumps Vaccine, Pain, Risk Factors, Rubella Vaccine, Sex Factors, Incidence, Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine

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