MMR vaccine and idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura.
Black C, Kaye JA, Jick H.
Department of Public Health, Aberdeen University, Aberdeen, UK.
corri.black@abdn.ac.uk
AIMS: To estimate the relationship between idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura
(ITP) and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination in children;
calculating the relative risk estimate for ITP with in 6 weeks after MMR
vaccination and the attributable risk of ITP within 6 weeks after MMR
vaccination. METHODS: Using the General Practice Research Database we identified
children with a first-time diagnosis of ITP from a base population of children
aged less than 6 years between January 1988 and December 1999. After describing
the characteristics of all the children identified with ITP, we focused on cases
aged 13-24 months to perform a population-based, case-control analysis to
estimate the relative risk of developing ITP within 6 weeks after MMR
vaccination. We also calculated the risk of ITP attributable to the MMR
vaccination. RESULTS: Sixty-three children with a first time diagnosis of ITP
were identified; 23 cases were between 13 and 24 months old. The relative risk
estimate for ITP within 6 weeks after MMR vaccination, compared to the combined
group of unvaccinated children and children vaccinated with MMR more than 26
weeks previously was 6.3 (95% CI 1.3-30.1). The attributable risk of developing
ITP within 6 weeks after MMR vaccination was estimated to be 1 in 25,000
vaccinations (95% confidence interval 21,300, 89,400). CONCLUSION: This study
confirms the increased risk of ITP within 6 weeks after MMR vaccination.
However, the attributable risk of ITP within 6 weeks after MMR vaccination is
low.
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is for general information purposes only and is not to be construed as
reflecting the knowledge or opinions of the publisher, and is not to be
construed or intended as providing medical or legal advice. The decision
whether or not to vaccinate is an important and complex issue and should
be made by you, and you alone, in consultation with your health care
provider.
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