MMRV vaccine and the risk of febrile seizures

January 01, 0001

MMRV vaccine and the risk of febrile seizures

Preliminary evidence suggests a possible increase risk of seizure with the quadravalent measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine. These US researchers using 2000-2008 Vaccine Safety Datalink data assessed physician visits for fevers and seizures among children aged 12 to 23 months after MMRV and separate MMR + varicella vaccines.

The authors found: "MMRV vaccine recipients (83,107) were compared with recipients of MMR + varicella vaccines (376,354). Seizure and fever significantly clustered 7 to 10 days after vaccination with all measles- containing vaccines but not after varicella vaccination alone. Seizure risk during days 7 to 10 was higher after MMRV than after MMR + varicella vaccination (relative risk 1.98). Supplementary analyses yielded similar results. The excess risk for febrile seizures 7 to 10 days after MMRV compared with separate MMR + varicella vaccination was 4.3 per 10 000 doses."

The authors concluded: "Among 12- to 23-month-olds who received their first dose of measles-containing vaccine, fever and seizure were elevated 7 to 10 days after vaccination. Vaccination with MMRV results in 1 additional febrile seizure for every 2300 doses given instead of separate MMR + varicella vaccines. Providers who recommend MMRV should communicate to parents that it increases the risk of fever and seizure over that already associated with measles-containing vaccines."

These researchers demonstrate an increased risk of febrile seizures in children receiving the MMRV vaccine.

For the full abstract, click here.

Pediatrics 126(1):e1-e8, July 2010 © 2010 American Academy of Pediatrics
Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella Combination Vaccine and the Risk of Febrile Seizures. Nicola P. Klein, Bruce Fireman, W. Katherine Yih, et al.

Category: B. Blood/Immune Mechanisms, N. Neurological. Keywords: measles, varicella, febrile seizures, vaccine, MMRV, epidemiologic study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 17 August 2010

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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