Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccines and Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorders among Children: A Meta‐Analysis

Published date01 July 2012
Date01 July 2012
DOIhttp://doi.org/10.1515/1948-4682.1225
Volume 4, Issue 2 • 2012 • Article 5
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccines and Diagnoses of
Autism Spectrum Disorders among Children: A Meta-Analysis
Kristin A. Hobson, Western Michigan University
Pedro F. Mateu, Western Michigan University
Chris L. S. Coryn, Western Michigan University
Charlene Graves
Hobson, Kristin A.; Mateu, Pedro F.; Coryn, Chris L. S.; and Graves, Charlene (2012) "Measles,
Mumps, and Rubella Vaccines and Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorders among Children: A
Meta-Analysis," World Medical & Health Policy: Vol. 4: Iss. 2, Article 5.
DOI: 10.1515/1948-4682.5
©2012 Policy Studies Organization
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccines and
Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorders
among Children: A Meta-Analysis
Kristin A. Hobson, Western Michigan University
Pedro F. Mateu, Western Michigan University
Chris L. S. Coryn, Western Michigan University
Charlene Graves
Abstract
Purpose: The authors of the study sought, through a meta-analysis of primary studies, to
address the question “Are the odds of being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) the
same for those who receive a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination and those who do
not?”
Background: Despite evidence from numerous sources failing to demonstrate consistent
evidence of ASD diagnoses as a consequence of receiving MMR vaccinations, parents/guardians
sometimes forego vaccinating their children.
Methods: Three researchers searched for and obtained relevant studies, and two researchers
independently applied a standardized data extraction form to the included studies.
Results: Seven independent effect sizes were calculated, yielding a pooled random-effects
OR* = 0.25 (95% CI, LL = 0.09, UL = 0.76) (*denotes random-effects estimate). Under the fixed-
effect model, the OR = 0.33 (95% CI, LL = 0.25, UL = 0.45).
Conclusions: The odds of ASD diagnoses attributable to receiving or not receiving an MMR
vaccination are not indistinguishable within clinical limits of indifference. Even so, the odds of
ASD diagnoses are substantially smaller for those receiving an MMR vaccination than for those
who do not.
KEYWORDS: measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, autism spectrum disorders, autism, meta-
analysis
Author Notes: This research was presented at the 2011 American Public Health Association
Annual Conference, Washington D.C. The authors would like to thank Jan K. Fields, a student
in the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Evaluation program at Western Michigan University, for his
assistance in locating studies on the association between MMR vaccine and development of ASD.
Conflicts of interest: None declared. Corresponding Author: Kristin A. Hobson, Interdisciplinary
Ph.D. in Evaluation, Western Michigan University, 4405 Ellsworth Hall, Kalamazoo, MI
49008-5237, E-mail: kristin.a.hobson@wmich.edu.

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