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Retracted early report: autism and MMR vaccine, 1998

Wakefield, Murch et al.

RETRACTED: Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children

The Lancet, Volume 351, Issue 9103, 637 - 641

Published: February 28, 1998


In this retracted early report researchers investigated 12 children (3–10 year olds) with chronic enterocolitis and regressive developmental disorder.

Enterocolitis is an acute life-threatening condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. It causes fever, abdominal swelling, and nausea.

Developmental regression is a condition where a child loses skills or abilities they previously had. It can affect a child's motor, language, or social skills.


In eight children, the onset of behavioural problems had been linked, either by the parents or by the child's physician, with measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination. Five had had an early adverse reaction to immunisation (rash, fever, delirium; and, in three cases, convulsions).

In these 8 children behavioural symptoms started to show on average at 6.3 days. Parents were uncertain about the timing of abdominal symptoms as children weren't toilet trained.


They list a few other studies as well their own findings that support the hypothesis that "the consequences of an inflamed or dysfunctional intestine may play a part in behavioural changes in some children".


In conclusion they report:

We did not prove an association between measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and the syndrome described. Virological studies are underway that may help to resolve this issue.

"If there is a causal link between measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and this syndrome, a rising incidence might be anticipated after the introduction of this vaccine in the UK in 1988. Published evidence is inadequate to show whether there is a change in incidence or a link with measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine."



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