Study shows that vaccinations do not interfere with brain development

For the last several years, parents have been questioning whether or not routine vaccinations given affect brain development.  Specifically, the increase in the autism rate has been a parental concern for several years.  There has been much debate and controversy surrounding the entire issue.

The following test results will likely add more fire to the pot.   A study at the University of Lewisville has come to the conclusion that delaying the shots provides no benefit to young children.

In fact, says Dr. Michael J. Smith, lead author of the study and a pediatric infectious disease specialist, suggests that delaying vaccinations actually puts children at risk, leaving them vulnerable to the diseases the vaccinations prevent.

For his research, Dr. Smith and his colleagues examined the health records of more than 1,000 children born between 1993 and 1997.  Some had timely vaccinations, while others either had delayed immunizations or received no immunizations whatsoever.

After studying the medical records, Dr. Smith and his team administered 42 neuropsychological tests to categorically determine if there is indeed a correlation between vaccinations and brain development. 

 Immunizations considered “timely” were those given within 30 days of the recommended ; all had received their basic vaccinations by 7 months of age.  In order to qualify as up-to-date, the children must have had the following vaccines:

·         2 hepatitis Bs

·         3 DPTs (diphtheria-whooping cough-tetanus)

·         2 polios

·         3 Hibs

In addition to finding that multiple immunizations before the age of 1 have no negative effect on later cognitive development, some test results showed that immunized children scored better in the area of cognitive development.   Specifically, Dr. Smith states that the children who had their vaccines given timely fared slightly better on two of the 42 tests; those who had their vaccinations delayed scored no better than the other group in any category.

The National Immunization Survey, taken in 2008 showed that the percentage of parents who do not have their children immunized rose from 22% to 39% five years earlier (CDC).  25% of those who refused the vaccinations feared autism.  Conversely, the survey showed that the percentage of kids who got all of their immunizations increased to 76% from 73%, according to Lance E Rodewald, MD, the director of the CDC’s immunization services (WebMd).  The CDC gathered their data by phoning the parents of approximately 9,000 toddlers.

More information regarding the study was published in the May 24 issue of the journal Pediatrics.