Abstract

BACKGROUND
In the United States, children receive 2 doses of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) and varicella vaccine (V), the first between ages 1 to 2 years and the second between ages 4 to 6 years. Among 1- to 2-year-olds, the risk of febrile seizures 7 to 10 days after MMRV is double that after separate MMR + V. Whether MMRV or MMR + V affects risk for febrile seizure risk among 4- to 6-year-olds has not been reported.
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.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Klein NP, Lewis E, Baxter R, Weintraub E, Glanz J, Naleway A, Jackson LA, Nordin J, Lieu T, Belongia EA, Fireman B

Institution

Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center, Oakland, CA 94612, USA. Nicola.Klein@kp.org

Source

Pediatrics 129:5 2012 May pg 809-14

MeSH

Chickenpox Vaccine
Child
Child, Preschool
Drug Toxicity
Humans
Immunization, Secondary
Infant
Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
Risk
Seizures, Febrile
United States

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22473362