Do children who become autistic consult more often after MMR vaccination?
A close temporal association has been reported between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination and dramatic behavioural decline in children subsequently diagnosed as autistic. We hypothesised that such a decline would be reflected in increased consultations with the child's general practitioner. The Doctor's Independent Network database was used to examine whether children subsequently diagnosed as autistic consulted more frequently than controls after MMR vaccination. No difference in consulting behaviour was seen in the six months post MMR. Any dramatic effect of MMR on behaviour seems unlikely.
Department of General Practice and Primary Care, George's Hospital Medical School, London SW17 0RE.
S
S
DeWilde
I M
IM
Carey
N
N
Richards
S R
SR
Hilton
D G
DG
Cook
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000209:etiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom
D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine