Vaccines and autism: a tale of shifting hypotheses.
Although child vaccination rates remain high, some parental concern persists that vaccines might cause autism. Three specific hypotheses have been proposed: (1) the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine causes autism by damaging the intestinal lining, which allows the entrance of encephalopathic proteins; (2) thimerosal, an ethylmercury-containing preservative in some vaccines, is toxic to the central nervous system; and (3) the simultaneous administration of multiple vaccines overwhelms or weakens the immune system. We will discuss the genesis of each of these theories and review the relevant epidemiological evidence.
Gerber
Jeffrey S
JS
Division of Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-4399, USA. offit@email.chop.edu
Offit
Paul A
PA
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000009:adverse effects; D014612:Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017778:Vaccines, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects
D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D014612:Vaccines; D017778:Vaccines, Combined