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Cited by 183Virology and Viral DiseasesVaccine Coverage and HesitancyPharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reactions

Neurologic disorders after measles-mumps-rubella vaccination

Mäkelä, Annamari, Nuorti, J. Pekka, Peltola, Heikki·2002·PEDIATRICS
DOI 10.1542/peds.110.5.957
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The possibility of adverse neurologic events has fueled much concern about the safety of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations. The available evidence concerning several of the postulated complications is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess whether an association prevails between MMR vaccination and encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, and autism. METHODS: A retrospective study based on linkage of individual MMR vaccination data with a hospital discharge register was conducted among 535 544 1- to 7-year-old children who were vaccinated between November 1982 and June 1986 in Finland. For encephalitis and aseptic meningitis, the numbers of events observed within a 3-month risk interval after vaccination were compared with the expected numbers estimated on the basis of occurrence of encephalitis and aseptic meningitis during the subsequent 3-month intervals. Changes in the overall number of hospitalizations for autism after vaccination throughout the study period were searched for. In addition, hospitalizations because of inflammatory bowel diseases were checked for the children with autism. RESULTS: Of the 535 544 children who were vaccinated, 199 were hospitalized for encephalitis, 161 for aseptic meningitis, and 352 for autistic disorders. In 9 children with encephalitis and 10 with meningitis, the disease developed within 3 months of vaccination, revealing no increased occurrence within this designated risk period. We detected no clustering of hospitalizations for autism after vaccination. None of the autistic children made hospital visits for inflammatory bowel diseases. CONCLUSIONS: We did not identify any association between MMR vaccination and encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, or autism.

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Crossref · 10.1542/peds.110.5.957

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38 of 38 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • In the Makela 2002 study, there was no significant increase in aseptic meningitis during the three months following MMR immunisation (P = 0.57).

    “No significant increase in aseptic meningitis was observed during the three months following immunisation (P = 0.57).”

    From Vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella in children (2012) · cites this paper as Makela 2002

  • In Makela 2002, out of 199 hospitalisations for encephalitis or encephalopathy, nine occurred within three months after MMR vaccination and 110 occurred more than three months after.

    “Out of the 199 hospitalisations for encephalitis or encephalopathy, nine occurred within three months after MMR vaccination, 110 occurred more than three months”

    From Vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella in children (2012) · cites this paper as Makela 2002

  • The study by Makela 2002 was weakened by the loss of 14% of the original birth cohorts and the effects of the rather long-term follow-up.

    “The study by Makela 2002 was weakened by the loss of 14% of the original birth cohorts and the effects of the rather longterm follow-up.”

    From Vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella in children (2012) · cites this paper as Makela 2002

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Authors
Mäkelä, A., Nuorti, J. P., & Peltola, H.
Affiliations
  • Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
  • Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
  • Helsinki University Hospital (FI)
ORCID
Venue
PEDIATRICS
Publisher
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Published
2002-11-01
Volume
110
Issue
5
Pages
957-963
ISSN
  • 0031-4005 (ISSN-L)
  • 1098-4275
DOI
10.1542/peds.110.5.957
OpenAlex
W2122056698
Cited by
183
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 8
FWCI
11.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • PEDIATRICS (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Virology and Viral Diseases
  • Social Sciences › Health › Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reactions
Keywords
MMR vaccine, vaccine safety, encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, autism spectrum disorder, inflammatory bowel disease, childhood immunization, hospitalization
MeSH terms
Autistic Disorder, Child, Child, Hospitalized, Child, Preschool, Encephalitis, Finland, Humans, Infant, Meningitis, Aseptic, National Health Programs, Registries, Retrospective Studies, Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine

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