Correlations Between Austism and Vaccines Could Confuse Concerned Parents and Healthcare Professionals
The average person believes that they can trust scientific research to be unbiased and present conclusions that are based upon data that is representative of any particular population. Evidence-based studies do not always prove that a correlation exists between the variables that are selected for the research project. In other words, correlation does not equate to causation. Studies can conclude that there appears to be a correlation or association that may or may not actually be the case in the target population or a wider grouping of people.
Correlation Between Autism and the Use of Acetaminophen Following the MMR Vaccine
Let’s look at two different studies that reach opposing conclusions regarding the use of acetaminophen after getting a Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine. The reason why this is relevant is due to the media attention upon the recent outbreak of measles in Disneyland from a vaccinated person with doctors who are encouraging people to either take their children in to get an MMR vaccination or avoid vaccinations that present an unnecessary risk to children who weather the measles reasonably well when exposed to this moderate childhood viral infection.
The next study seems designed to provide a rebuttal to the first study and draw conclusions that there is no correlation between the incidence of autism and the use of acetaminophen following the administration of the MMR vaccine. While we are not going to get into the nuts and bolts of either study, you might want to read the articles in their entirety to better understand how this can happen. It does happen much more frequently than you might expect. In this case, it illustrates the bias that exists in regard to the MMR vaccine for measles that is in the forefront of the media reports in the news. Hopefully, both parents and healthcare practitioners need to dig more deeply before making any recommendations or vaccinating their children.
No Correlation Found Between Autism and Use of Acetaminophen After the MMR Vaccine
It is extremely important to be able to interpret studies like these two examples that appear to contradict one another. Our healthcare practitioners make decisions based upon evidence-based research which offer best practices to follow, but when there is evidence to support either position it becomes challenging to make any sound decision. Parents depend upon the advice and expertise of their physicians and healthcare providers to give them guidance and recommendations; but in this case parents need to be much better informed before relying upon the direction of any practitioner who doesn’t have a balanced perspective with information from numerous studies and case histories. The primary point that I want you to take away from this discussion is that it is imperative to perform your due diligence on any topic prior to making an informed decision, instead of blindly trusting the media that presents weighted arguments to act swiftly when that might not be in the best interests of any child or adult in addition to the general population.
