MMR vaccine and autism: an update of the scientific evidence

Abstract

An hypothesis published in 1998 suggested that measles–mumps–rubella vaccine may cause autism as a result of persistent measles virus infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Results of early studies were not supportive and in 2001 a review by the Institute of Medicine concluded that the evidence favors the rejection of a causal relationship at the population level between measles–mumps–rubella vaccine and autistic spectrum disorder. Studies published since the Institue of Medicine report have continued not to find an increased risk of autistic spectrum disorder associated with measles–mumps–rubella. The vaccine also has not been found to be associated with a unique syndrome of developmental regression and gastrointestinal disorders. The evidence now is convincing that the measles–mumps–rubella vaccine does not cause autism or any particular subtypes of autistic spectrum disorder.

• causality
• developmental regression
• epidemiology
• measles