The theory that the measles, mumps and rubella shot, MMR, is largely responsible for the increase of children diagnosed with autism, was dealt a major blow on February 2, 2010, when a respected medical journal, The Lancet, retracted the article, it had published 12 years ago, which advocated this theory.
This scientific paper, written in 1998 and largely authored by Dr. Andrew Wakefield, a British physician, linked the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) to the rising incidence of autism spectrum disorders. The article grabbed worldwide attention and began a controversy that still continues to rage.
The Autism-Vaccine Link
Wakefield and a few other colleagues had earlier conducted a study on a small sampling of 12 children whom they then concluded had developed bowel disorders and autism because they had been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine, which is given in a single dose. He then published his findings in The Lancet.
After subsequent studies couldn't find any correlation between the MMR vaccine and the onset of autism, the General Medical Council, a panel that oversees British doctors, recently stated that his selection of patients was biased and that his research conduct was dishonest and irresponsible.
According to a CNN report aired on February 2, 2010, Wakefield who specializes in digestive disorders, theorized that the measles vaccine caused gastrointestinal problems.Seepage from the bowels into the bloodstream began to affect the nervous system and eventually led to autism.
After he had published his findings, many parents refused to vaccinate their children.They especially objected to the mercury-based preservative, thimerosal, once used in the MMR vaccine and in some other vaccines. Thimerosal has been discontinued since 2001.
The Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders
The Centers for Disease Control Foundation or CDC Foundation defines autism "as a group of developmental disabilities caused by a problem within the brain. These disabilities are usually diagnosed in early childhood, and they manifest themselves in behaviors that include difficulties in language, communication and social skills."
These behaviors are grouped under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorders, or ASD. Boys are three or four times more likely to develop this disorder than girls. Estimates now indicate that between two and six of every 1000 children will eventually be diagnosed with an ASD.
Parents of these children have a most difficult task and many are desperate to discover the cause of their child's illness. They also need to learn how to manage their child who often resists change, has trouble bonding to other humans, and has little social awareness. Pediatricians and medical scientists are attempting to discover why ASD has become so prevalent.
Vaccinations Become Controversial
Those who are old enough to remember the polio epidemics during the 1950s may well recall the specter of children lying paralyzed in iron lungs and the admonitions of worried parents who forbade their children to swim in public pools for fear of contacting this dreaded disease. When Dr. Jonas Salk's polio vaccine was approved, parents flocked to clinics to get their children vaccinated.
Others may remember lying in bed sick with measles and mumps or seeing quarantine signs on the front doors of homes who had a family member ill with scarlet fever.
With the advent of vaccines, these diseases have almost been obliterated. The question remains, however, as to what will happen if children don't continue to be vaccinated. Currently, state laws require children to be vaccinated before they are allowed to enter kindergarten unless parents have a religious or a medical exemption.
Three Points of View Regarding the MMR-Autism Link
During a PBS Frontline presentation, "The Vaccine War," aired on April 27th, 2010, parent advocates such as actress, Jenny McCarthy and J.B. Handley of the Generation Rescue Organization, emphasize they still believe in the causal link between the MMR vaccine and ASD. These individuals became active in promoting this theory after both their children were diagnosed with ASD.
On the other hand, the Autism Science Foundation blog posted on April 28th, praised the Frontline report and quoted Dr. Anders Hviid, a Danish epidemiologist at the Statens Serum Institut in Denmark telling Frontline, "Scientifically, I think the matter is settled." His data garnered from studies on over a half-million children, found no causal link between the MMR vaccine and ASD.
Allison Singer, president of the Autism Science Foundation writes in her blog posted on January 29, 2010, "That it's time to put the MMR/autism myth behind us." The Foundation's mission statement includes the statement, "Vaccines save lives. They do not cause autism."
A third point-of-view comes from Dr. Jay Gordon, MD. FAAP, a noted pediatrician. He states in part in an email to Frontline, " I expressed my heartfelt reservations about both vaccines and the polarizing issue issue into pro and anti-vaccine camps. "
"I told you there was at least a third camp. There are many doctors who would like a more judicious approach to immunizations. Give vaccines later and slower and with an individual approach, as we do in every other area of medicine."
Meanwhile, the controversy continues.
References:
CNN Health Report: 2/2/10
PBS Frontline: 4/27/10
Times On Line: 2/03/10
CDC Foundation: 5/03/10
Autism Science Foundation: 4/28/10
Anne McNulty - Anne is a freelance writer who lives in Queenstown, Maryland. She has contributed many articles to several Maryland magazines including ...
