Immunization Safety Review

Vaccinations and Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy

Author: McCormick, Marie C.; Wizemann, Theresa M.; Almario, Donna A.; Stratton, Kathleen
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 9780309088862
eISBN Pdf: 9780309523172
eISBN Epub: 9780309168311
Place of publication: United States
Year of digital publication: 2003
Month: October
Pages: 119
DDC: 614
Language: English

Caption

With current recommendations calling for infants to receive multiple doses of vaccines during their first year of life and with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) the most frequent cause of death during the postneonatal period, it is important to respond to concerns that vaccination might play a role in sudden unexpected infant death.

The committee reviewed epidemiologic evidence focusing on three outcomes: SIDS, all SUDI (sudden unexpected death in infancy), and neonatal death (infant death, whether sudden or not, during the first 4 weeks of life). Based on this review, the committee concluded that the evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between some vaccines and SIDS; and that the evidence is inadequate to accept or reject a causal relationship between other vaccines and SIDS, SUDI, or neonatal death. The evidence regarding biological mechanisms is essentially theoretical, reflecting in large measure the lack of knowledge concerning the pathogenesis of SIDS.

Cover
Front Matter
Executive Summary
Immunization Safety Review: Vaccinations and Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy
Appendix A: Committee Recommendations and Conclusions from Previous Reports
Appendix B: Public Meeting Agenda October 28, 2002
Appendix C: Chronology of Importanat Events Regarding Vaccine Safety
Appendix D: Acronyms