Measles-containing vaccines and febrile seizures in children age 4 to 6 years.

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.

• Authors: Nicola P Klein, Edwin Lewis, Roger Baxter, Eric Weintraub, Jason Glanz, Allison Naleway, Lisa A Jackson, James Nordin, Tracy Lieu, Edward A Belongia, Bruce Fireman
• Journal: Pediatrics (Pediatrics) Vol. 129 Issue 5 Pg. 809-14 (May 2012) ISSN: 1098-4275 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22473362 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Chickenpox Vaccine
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
• Vaccines, Combined
• measles, mumps, rubella, varicella vaccine

Topics

• Chickenpox Vaccine (adverse effects)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
• Humans
• Immunization, Secondary (adverse effects)
• Infant
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine (adverse effects)
• Risk
• Seizures, Febrile (chemically induced)
• United States
• Vaccines, Combined