Measles-Containing Vaccines and Febrile Seizures in Children Age 4 to 6 Years

The word Autism does not appear in this article. Drs Klein and Baxter reports research support from Merck & Co, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, and Sanofi-Pasteur; Dr Jackson reports research support…

Measles-Containing Vaccines and Febrile Seizures in Children Age 4 to 6 Years

Nicola P. Klein, MDCorresponding Author ; Edwin Lewis, MPH; Roger Baxter, MD; Eric Weintraub, MPH; Jason Glanz, PhD; Allison Naleway, PhD; Lisa A. Jackson, MD; James Nordin, MD; Tracy Lieu, MD; Edward A. Belongia, MD; Bruce Fireman, MA

Pediatrics (2012) 129 (5): 809–814. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-3198

AAP: A cohort study included 715,484 children age 48-83 months. The children received one of these vaccine combinations: dose of measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine, dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and dose of varicella vaccine on the same day, dose of MMR vaccine or dose of varicella vaccine on a single day. Researchers set out to determine risk of post-vaccination seizure for each group. Results showed more fevers and seizures in children who received the MMRV vaccine compared with children in the other three groups, but the finding was not statistically significant. Four febrile seizures were seen in the 7-10 days post-vaccination for children receiving the MMRV vaccine. Only one febrile seizure could be confirmed. Authors concluded that the rate of febrile seizure after MMRV was 1 in 86,750 doses. There was no increased risk of febrile seizures in any of the study groups within 6 weeks of vaccination.

METHODS:

Among 4- to 6-year-old Vaccine Safety Datalink members, we identified seizures in the emergency department and hospital from 2000 to 2008 and outpatient visits for fever from 2006 to 2008 during days 7 to 10 and 0 to 42 after MMRV and MMR + V. Incorporating medical record reviews, we assessed seizure risk after MMRV and MMR + V.

RESULTS:

From 2006 through 2008, 86 750 children received MMRV; from 2000 through 2008, 67 438 received same-day MMR + V. Seizures were rare throughout days 0 to 42 without peaking during days 7 to 10. There was 1 febrile seizure 7 to 10 days after MMRV and 0 after MMR + V. Febrile seizure risk was 1 per 86 750 MMRV doses (95% confidence interval, 1 per 3 426 441, 1 per 15 570) and 0 per 67 438 MMR + V doses (1 per 18 282).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study provides reassurance that MMRV and MMR + V were not associated with increased risk of febrile seizures among 4- to 6-year-olds. We can rule out with 95% confidence a risk greater than 1 febrile seizure per 15 500 MMRV doses and 1 per 18 000 MMR + V doses.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES: Drs Klein and Baxter reports research support from Merck & Co, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, and Sanofi-Pasteur; Dr Jackson reports research support from Novartis Vaccines, Sanofi-Pasteur, and Pfizer; Dr Belongia receives reports research support from MedImmune; the other authors have indicated they have no financial relationships relevant to this article to disclose.

This is not an autism study, and the word autism does not appear anywhere in this article.

Alison Fujito, mom

It’s difficult to tell what they actually assessed.

“Among 4- to 6-year-old Vaccine Safety Datalink members, we identified seizures in the emergency department and hospital from 2000 to 2008 and outpatient visits for fever from 2006 to 2008 during days 7 to 10 and 0 to 42 after MMRV and MMR + V. Incorporating medical record reviews, we assessed seizure risk after MMRV and MMR + V… This study provides reassurance that MMRV and MMR + V were not associated with increased risk of febrile seizures among 4- to 6-year-olds.”

1. We’re not worried so much about the 4-to-6-year-olds, we’re worried about the 12–15-month-olds getting that same vaccine. Yes, we see what they did there.

2. They assessed seizure risk [supposedly], but didn’t identify seizures that happened at home (NOT in the emergency department or hospital.)

3. They only draw conclusions about FEBRILE seizures. What about non-febrile seizures?