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Title
Neurologic complications of immunizations.
AuthorRutledge SL; Snead OC 3d
Source
J Pediatr,
109:
6, 1986 Dec,
917-24
AbstractAlthough there does appear to be at least a temporal relationship between pertussis immunization and
serious acute neurologic illness, data to suggest that children with stable preexisting neurologic disease
or positive family history of neurologic disease are at increased risk for complications of pertussis
immunizations are inconclusive. Furthermore, there are no firm statistical data concerning the incidence
of pertussis vaccine-related encephalopathy. Rather, the literature on pertussis vaccine complications
is replete with anecdotal reports and retrospective studies with a number of questionable conclusions
drawn from this inadequate data base. Unfortunately, these conclusions have been sensationalized and
exploited with litigious fervor to the point that the practice of pertussis immunization is being questioned
in the United States. A number of points should be reiterated: pertussis is a dangerous and deadly disease,
as seen in the epidemic in Great Britain; pertussis immunization is effective in protecting against the
disease; and there is no conclusive proof that the incidence of complications from pertussis vaccination
of children with seizure disorders or other preexisting stable neurologic abnormalities is higher, because
appropriate studies have not been done to define such a risk. We would do well to keep these facts in
mind in order to avoid a disaster similar to the pertussis epidemic in Great Britain. Pertussis vaccination
should be given to all children except those with allergic hypersensitivity, a progressive neurologic
disorder, or an adverse reaction to a previous pertussis dose.