Autism and the MMR Vaccine Connection : Part 3

by National Institute of Health

(Page 3 of 3)

In 1998, the NIH, led by the NICHD and the NINDS, sponsored a conference on ASDs. These and other NIH Institutes formed an expert panel, which also included 15 professional organizations and three parents' groups, and began a review of over 2,500 scientific articles to develop a system for diagnosing ASDs. The panel published its findings in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders in 1999 (Filipek et al 1999). In 2000, the panel's report was adopted as a practice parameter by the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society (Filipek et al 2000). Practice parameter: screening and diagnosis of autism gives doctors and other health professionals the first, standardized method for diagnosing autism and ASDs based on scientific evidence.

In addition, the NIH is in the process of implementing the autism aspects of the Children's Health Act of 2000. This Act, which was signed into law in October 2000, charges the NIH with the, "Expansion, intensification, and coordination of activities of the NIH with respect to research on autism. "All of the NIH Institutes that fund autism research are working together to establish "Centers of Excellence" to focus on autism research. In addition, the NIH will form a committee with representatives from parents' groups and other federal agencies to coordinate autism research activities throughout the federal government and to enhance efforts to educate doctors and other health care professionals, and parents, and other child caretakers, about autism.

Aren't the diseases prevented by the MMR vaccine mild, when compared to the life-long symptoms of autism?

The diseases that the MMR vaccine prevents, measles, mumps, and rubella (also called German measles), are actually very serious. Many times, the symptoms and effects of these diseases are just as serious and life-long as the symptoms of autism. In some cases, these diseases result in death. If people stop getting vaccines, the number of cases of these diseases will increase, and with it, the number of deaths and serious health problems.

Measles is a life-threatening disease that spreads quickly and easily. Before the vaccine was available in the U.S., nearly everyone who was exposed to measles got the measles, with nearly three-to-four million cases each year. The symptoms of measles include a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. But, if not treated, these seemingly mild symptoms can lead to conditions such as pneumonia, seizures, and water and swelling around the brain. For one-in-500 to one-in-1,000 people, measles causes death. High levels of immunization in the U.S. have led to a 99 percent decrease in measles cases since doctors first started using the vaccine. But in poorer countries of the world, where vaccines aren't as common, nearly 900,000 people died from causes related to measles in 1998.

Mumps, which the MMR vaccine also protects against, was a major cause of deafness in children before doctors started using vaccines to prevent it. Even though it tends to be mild in children, mumps is dangerous for adults, with side effects that can include paralysis, seizures, and fluid in the brain. Before the vaccine for mumps was available, there were about 212,000 cases of mumps each year in the U.S. In 1998, there were only 606 cases of mumps in the U.S.

The last disease prevented by the MMR vaccine, rubella, is harmful to pregnant women and their growing babies. If a pregnant woman gets rubella, her baby may develop a life-long condition that includes heart defects, mental retardation, and deafness. In some cases, the baby's condition is so severe that the baby dies. In 1964-65, before the vaccine for rubella was available, 20,000 babies were born to mothers who had rubella. Of those 20,000 born, 11,600 were deaf, 3,580 were blind, and 1,800 were mentally retarded.

Should my child have the MMR vaccine?

Both the CDC and the AAP recommend that children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, as long as they have no known health problems that prevent the vaccine from being effective. The CDC and AAP immunization schedules recommend that the first dose be given at age 12-to-15 months, while the second dose should be given at either four-to-six years of age or 11-to-12 years of age.

Allergies, immune system diseases like HIV, or other sicknesses can interact with a vaccine to make it less effective. These interactions can sometimes cause other health problems. If your child is sick, your doctor may delay the vaccination until your child is healthy. For example, a child with a fever should not have a vaccination until the fever is gone. Make sure you give a complete description of your child's current health and health history to your child's doctor at every visit, so he or she can help you make an informed choice about the timing of your child's vaccinations.

About the Author

NIH is the nation's medical research agency - making important medical discoveries that improve health and save lives. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research.