Vaccine related seizures

[RobinN]

In the study of children ages 12 months through 23 months, the rate of seizures was twice as high in toddlers who got ProQuad, compared with those who got one shot for chickenpox and one for the three other diseases.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/heal...ts=bos&taf=bos

[speber]

...why am I not surprised?

So I can tell my kids "okay, it's 4 sticks instead of 1....but you don't risk a possible lifetime of ARM sticks for the blood draws for drug levels and such(not to mention everything else of course)"

I get it...my kids wouldn't...gimme 4 hypos please.

[brain]

...why am I not surprised?

I get it...my kids wouldn't...gimme 4 hypos please.

simple partial ~ I think you just hit the nail on
the head with your final blunt statement!

[RobinN]

yup.. and until I read a lot about vaccines and childhood regression, I never made the link before. Rebecca stopped trying to talk around the time that she got her load of immunizations. She was beginning to move forward and in first grade she had her boosters. I saw a tremendous setback and she had to repeat first grade. She did have a questionable birthday for school entry, but besides that I remember the regression. Luckily not to the point of autism, but certainly language delay. Processing issues.

I wouldn't do it again. Knowing what I know now, I would not vaccinate. I would take the chances and I would bow out due to religious reasons.
No question. Hind sight....

[RobinN]

So what do you think my friends?

On Friday, February 22, HHS conceded that this child's complex partial seizure disorder was also caused by her vaccines. Now we the taxpayers will award this family compensation to finance her seizure medication. Surely ALL decent people can agree that is a good thing.

By the way, it''s worth noting that her seizures did not begin until six years after the date of vaccination, yet the government acknowledges they were, indeed, linked to the immunizations of July, 2000, - DK

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
OFFICE OF SPECIAL MASTERS


CHILD, a minor,

by her Parents and Natural Guardians,

Petitioners,

v.

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,

Respondent.

RESPONDENT'S RULE 4(c) REPORT

In accordance with RCFC, Appendix B, Vaccine Rule 4(c), the Secretary of Health and Human Services submits the following response to the petition for compensation filed in this case.

FACTS

CHILD ("CHILD") was born on December --, 1998, and weighed eight pounds, ten ounces. Petitioners' Exhibit ("Pet. Ex.") 54 at 13. The pregnancy was complicated by gestational diabetes. Id. at 13. CHILD received her first Hepatitis B immunization on December 27, 1998. Pet. Ex. 31 at 2.

From January 26, 1999 through June 28, 1999, CHILD visited the Pediatric Center, in Catonsville, Maryland, for well-child examinations and minor complaints, including fever and eczema. Pet. Ex. 31 at 5-10, 19. During this time period, she received the following pediatric vaccinations, without incident:

Vaccine Dates Administered

Hep B 12/27/98; 1/26/99

IPV 3/12/99; 4/27/99

Hib 3/12/99; 4/27/99; 6/28/99

DTaP 3/12/99; 4/27/99; 6/28/99

Id. at 2.

At seven months of age, CHILD was diagnosed with bilateral otitis media. Pet. Ex. 31 at 20. In the subsequent months between July 1999 and January 2000, she had frequent bouts of otitis media, which doctors treated with multiple antibiotics. Pet. Ex. 2 at 4. On December 3,1999, CHILD was seen by Karl Diehn, M.D., at Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates of the Greater Baltimore Medical Center ("ENT Associates"). Pet. Ex. 31 at 44. Dr. Diehn recommend that CHILD receive PE tubes for her "recurrent otitis media and serious otitis." Id. CHILD received PE tubes in January 2000. Pet. Ex. 24 at 7. Due to CHILD's otitis media, her mother did not allow CHILD to receive the standard 12 and 15 month childhood immunizations. Pet. Ex. 2 at 4.

According to the medical records, CHILD consistently met her developmental milestones during the first eighteen months of her life. The record of an October 5, 1999 visit to the Pediatric Center notes that CHILD was mimicking sounds, crawling, and sitting. Pet. Ex. 31 at 9. The record of her 12-month pediatric examination notes that she was using the words "Mom" and "Dad," pulling herself up, and cruising. Id. at 10.

At a July 19, 2000 pediatric visit, the pediatrician observed that CHILD "spoke well" and was "alert and active." Pet. Ex. 31 at 11. CHILD's mother reported that CHILD had regular bowel movements and slept through the night. Id. At the July 19, 2000 examination, CHILD received five vaccinations - DTaP, Hib, MMR, Varivax, and IPV. Id. at 2, 11.

According to her mother's affidavit, CHILD developed a fever of 102.3 degrees two days after her immunizations and was lethargic, irritable, and cried for long periods of time. Pet. Ex. 2 at 6. She exhibited intermittent, high-pitched screaming and a decreased response to stimuli. Id. MOM spoke with the pediatrician, who told her that CHILD was having a normal reaction to her immunizations. Id. According to CHILD's mother, this behavior continued over the next ten days, and CHILD also began to arch her back when she cried. Id.

On July 31, 2000, CHILD presented to the Pediatric Center with a 101-102 degree temperature, a diminished appetite, and small red dots on her chest. Pet. Ex. 31 at 28. The nurse practitioner recorded that CHILD was extremely irritable and inconsolable. Id. She was diagnosed with a post-varicella vaccination rash. Id. at 29.

Two months later, on September 26, 2000, CHILD returned to the Pediatric Center with a temperature of 102 degrees, diarrhea, nasal discharge, a reduced appetite, and pulling at her left ear. Id. at 29. Two days later, on September 28, 2000, CHILD was again seen at the Pediatric Center because her diarrhea continued, she was congested, and her mother reported that CHILD was crying during urination. Id. at 32. On November 1, 2000, CHILD received bilateral PE tubes. Id. at 38. On November 13, 2000, a physician at ENT Associates noted that CHILD was "obviously hearing better" and her audiogram was normal. Id. at 38. On November 27, 2000, CHILD was seen at the Pediatric Center with complaints of diarrhea, vomiting, diminished energy, fever, and a rash on her cheek. Id. at 33. At a follow-up visit, on December 14, 2000, the doctor noted that CHILD had a possible speech delay. Id.

CHILD was evaluated at the Howard County Infants and Toddlers Program, on November 17, 2000, and November 28, 2000, due to concerns about her language development. Pet. Ex. 19 at 2, 7. The assessment team observed deficits in CHILD's communication and social development. Id. at 6. CHILD's mother reported that CHILD had become less responsive to verbal direction in the previous four months and had lost some language skills. Id. At 2.

On December 21, 2000, CHILD returned to ENT Associates because of an obstruction in her right ear and fussiness. Pet. Ex. 31 at 39. Dr. Grace Matesic identified a middle ear effusion and recorded that CHILD was having some balance issues and not progressing with her speech. Id. On December 27, 2000, CHILD visited ENT Associates, where Dr. Grace Matesic observed that CHILD's left PE tube was obstructed with crust. Pet. Ex. 14 at 6. The tube was replaced on January 17, 2001. Id.

Dr. Andrew Zimmerman, a pediatric neurologist, evaluated CHILD at the Kennedy Krieger Children's Hospital Neurology Clinic ("Krieger Institute"), on February 8, 2001. Pet. Ex. 25 at 1. Dr. Zimmerman reported that after CHILD's immunizations of July 19, 2000, an "encephalopathy progressed to persistent loss of previously acquired language, eye contact, and relatedness." Id. He noted a disruption in CHILD's sleep patterns, persistent screaming and arching, the development of pica to foreign objects, and loose stools. Id. Dr. Zimmerman observed that CHILD watched the fluorescent lights repeatedly during the examination and

would not make eye contact. Id. He diagnosed CHILD with "regressive encephalopathy with features consistent with an autistic spectrum disorder, following normal development." Id. At 2. Dr. Zimmerman ordered genetic testing, a magnetic resonance imaging test ("MRI"), and an electroencephalogram ("EEG"). Id.

Dr. Zimmerman referred CHILD to the Krieger Institute's Occupational Therapy Clinic and the Center for Autism and Related Disorders ("CARDS"). Pet. Ex. 25 at 40. She was evaluated at the Occupational Therapy Clinic by Stacey Merenstein, OTR/L, on February 23, 2001. Id. The evaluation report summarized that CHILD had deficits in "many areas of sensory processing which decrease[d] her ability to interpret sensory input and influence[d] her motor performance as a result." Id. at 45. CHILD was evaluated by Alice Kau and Kelley Duff, on May 16, 2001, at CARDS. Pet. Ex. 25 at 17. The clinicians concluded that CHILD was developmentally delayed and demonstrated features of autistic disorder. Id. at 22.

CHILD returned to Dr. Zimmerman, on May 17, 2001, for a follow-up consultation. Pet. Ex. 25 at 4. An overnight EEG, performed on April 6, 2001, showed no seizure discharges. Id. at 16. An MRI, performed on March 14, 2001, was normal. Pet. Ex. 24 at 16. A G-band test revealed a normal karyotype. Pet. Ex. 25 at 16. Laboratory studies, however, strongly indicated an underlying mitochondrial disorder. Id. at 4.

Dr. Zimmerman referred CHILD for a neurogenetics consultation to evaluate her abnormal metabolic test results. Pet. Ex. 25 at 8. CHILD met with Dr. Richard Kelley, a specialist in neurogenetics, on May 22, 2001, at the Krieger Institute. Id. In his assessment, Dr. Kelley affirmed that CHILD's history and lab results were consistent with "an etiologically unexplained metabolic disorder that appear[ed] to be a common cause of developmental regression." Id. at 7. He continued to note that children with biochemical profiles similar to CHILD's develop normally until sometime between the first and second year of life when their metabolic pattern becomes apparent, at which time they developmentally regress. Id. Dr. Kelley described this condition as "mitochondrial PPD." Id.

On October 4, 2001, Dr. John Schoffner, at Horizon Molecular Medicine in Norcross, Georgia, examined CHILD to assess whether her clinical manifestations were related to a defect in cellular energetics. Pet. Ex. 16 at 26. After reviewing her history, Dr. Schoffner agreed that the previous metabolic testing was "suggestive of a defect in cellular energetics." Id. Dr. Schoffner recommended a muscle biopsy, genetic testing, metabolic testing, and cell culture based testing. Id. at 36. A CSF organic acids test, on January 8, 2002, displayed an increased lactate to pyruvate ratio of 28,1 which can be seen in disorders of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Id. at 22. A muscle biopsy test for oxidative phosphorylation disease revealed abnormal results for Type One and Three. Id. at 3. The most prominent findings were scattered atrophic myofibers that were mostly type one oxidative phosphorylation dependent myofibers, mild increase in lipid in selected myofibers, and occasional myofiber with reduced cytochrome c oxidase activity. Id. at 7. After reviewing these laboratory results, Dr. Schoffner diagnosed CHILD with oxidative phosphorylation disease. Id. at 3. In February 2004, a mitochondrial DNA ("mtDNA") point mutation analysis revealed a single nucleotide change in the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (T2387C). Id. at 11.

CHILD returned to the Krieger Institute, on July 7, 2004, for a follow-up evaluation with Dr. Zimmerman. Pet. Ex. 57 at 9. He reported CHILD "had done very well" with treatment for a mitochondrial dysfunction. Dr. Zimmerman concluded that CHILD would continue to require services in speech, occupational, physical, and behavioral therapy. Id.

On April 14, 2006, CHILD was brought by ambulance to Athens Regional Hospital and developed a tonic seizure en route. Pet. Ex. 10 at 38. An EEG showed diffuse slowing. Id. At 40. She was diagnosed with having experienced a prolonged complex partial seizure and transferred to Scottish Rite Hospital. Id. at 39, 44. She experienced no more seizures while at Scottish Rite Hospital and was discharged on the medications Trileptal and Diastal. Id. at 44. A follow-up MRI of the brain, on June 16, 2006, was normal with evidence of a left mastoiditis manifested by distortion of the air cells. Id. at 36. An EEG, performed on August 15, 2006,

showed "rhythmic epileptiform discharges in the right temporal region and then focal slowing during a witnessed clinical seizure." Id. At 37. CHILD continues to suffer from a seizure disorder.

ANALYSIS

Medical personnel at the Division of Vaccine Injury Compensation, Department of Health and Human Services (DVIC) have reviewed the facts of this case, as presented by the petition, medical records, and affidavits. After a thorough review, DVIC has concluded that compensation is appropriate in this case.

In sum, DVIC has concluded that the facts of this case meet the statutory criteria for demonstrating that the vaccinations CHILD received on July 19, 2000, significantly aggravated an underlying mitochondrial disorder, which predisposed her to deficits in cellular energy metabolism, and manifested as a regressive encephalopathy with features of autism spectrum disorder. Therefore, respondent recommends that compensation be awarded to petitioners in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 300aa-11(c)(1)(C)(ii).

DVIC has concluded that CHILD's complex partial seizure disorder, with an onset of almost six years after her July 19, 2000 vaccinations, is not related to a vaccine-injury.

Respectfully submitted,

PETER D. KEISLER
Assistant Attorney General

TIMOTHY P. GARREN
Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division

MARK W. ROGERS
Deputy Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division

VINCENT J. MATANOSKI
Assistant Director
Torts Branch, Civil Division

s/ Linda S. Renzi by s/ Lynn E. Ricciardella
LINDA S. RENZI
Senior Trial Counsel
Torts Branch, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044
(202) 616-4133


DATE: November 9, 2007

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-...-_b_88558.html

[BensalemAngler]

This is giving me way too much false hope. But thanks anyway.

[RobinN]

False hope from what?
I posted it because we have been told for so long that vaccines have never played a part in neurological disorders. I draw a connection with them and two of my children, and possibly a third. To have pediatricians now willing to say that there is no such thing as a genetic epidemic is music to my ears.

So the possibility that some (not all) seizures could also be caused by vaccines or their related virus' is opening a whole new world of care. One that is smoldering as we post....

[BuckeyeFan]

My granddaughter was as bright as could be at the age of two. She was able to count to twenty, sing songs, interact with both adults and other children. Everything that you wish for in a healthy child. Then came the immunizations. From the age of two until she was three she regressed. She eventually reached a point where she would barely speak, bang her little head on the floor, spin in endless circles, and was unable to keep eye contact with anyone.

We thought we were going to lose her and had her checked for tumors and the such. She was finally diagnosed with an autism related disorder called Persuasive Behavioral Disorder. No doctor would admit to it, but I am positive it came from the mercury based preservative in the shots. We have not been able to find any other relevant variable to have caused this.

Thanks to hard work by my daughter and the rest of the family, terrific intervention by the special needs schools, and God's helping hand she has slowly returned to us. By the age of 4, she had reachieved the skills that she had at 2. At 6, she was able to start in regular school, but spent most of her time in the LD classes. Now she is in 2nd grade and only needs special help in reading. Her biggest hurdle is still her social skills. She is usually extremely sweet, but once in awhile her temper escapes and then watch out.

While she couldn't speak, I warned my daughter that there would be a day when she wouldn't shut up. We laugh at that now because she is now an 8 year old chatter box. I love her so much.

Her little brother (now 2 1/2) has not shown any problems. Of course the mercury is not used anymore. I will be extremely shocked if the medical community ever admits to all of the cases of autism they created. The financial impact of all the lawsuits would be immeasurable. The doctors claim that there is no link. If that is the case, why did they stop using it!!!

The real proof will come out over the next few years when we can see if the autism rates are coming down.

I know in my heart that the medical community was trying to do the right thing with the immunizations, but please tell me who in their right mind would put mercury into a toddler?

My granddaughter was picture perfect up until the shots. We are one of the lucky ones to have been able to reverse most of the impact. To go from a little girl who would jump into your arms to hug you into an empty shell that didn't recognize us was so depressing. I never miss a chance to hug her now.

[RobinN]

Well tell me who in their right mind would still put it in tetenus shots or flu shots? It is still on the shelves. Now tell me, what are they using as a preservative now?
And if the four vaccine shot (Quad something or other) can cause an increase in convulsions... don't you think that the multiple vaccines that are given at that time can cause terrible distruction to the gut. It is a complicated scenario, but one that must be addressed.

There has never been a genetic epidemic.

[BuckeyeFan]

genetic epidemic?????

What moron got PAID to coin that phrase? The trouble is they can't admit their mistakes, because the lawsuits would destroy our health care system. With all of its flaws, we still need it for when it does work properly.

[RobinN]

i am not sure if anyone had coined the phrase, but to say that 1/150 kids is a genetic disorder is crazy. So the doctor is saying that he has never heard of a genetic epidemic. Makes a lots of sense and makes those that are sleeping at the wheel, wake up and say ya... 1 in 90 boys IS an epidemic and we need to do something to turn this around.

I just think that if this could happen in the autistic community, what about all those that fall outside of the disorder. So much of the neurological process is interconnected so to put the label on that this is autism or this is epilepsy, or this is PDD ...etc. I think what "caused" one could definitely (and we are now seeing some of the articles) cause the other.

Are we all willing to say, okay... no law suits, but we need to put a stop to the additives in vaccines, and with some we need to pull apart the mass doses, or perhaps even for a while ... stall some of the vaccines on those illnesses that are not a problem. There is some evidence that what we all thought were lifesavers, was possibly misinformation.

[RobinN]

[thelton115]

My daughter was a very ill baby. Constantly sick and yet was vaccinated on time, everytime. She is now 11 and suffers greatly with absence seizures and learning problems. I didn't find out until 3 months ago that a rare side effect of the tetanus shot was absence seizures. It has taken me several years of school conferences and doctors appointments to get my child help. I am tired of screaming at the top of my lungs from the inside. The frustration and sadness are the reason I am up this late at night writing this. Maybe somehow her self esteem will endure through all this. I wish I had better resources for her.

[BensalemAngler]

False hope from what?
I posted it because we have been told for so long that vaccines have never played a part in neurological disorders. I draw a connection with them and two of my children, and possibly a third. To have pediatricians now willing to say that there is no such thing as a genetic epidemic is music to my ears.

So the possibility that some (not all) seizures could also be caused by vaccines or their related virus' is opening a whole new world of care. One that is smoldering as we post....

What I meant by this was only a false hope as to why my son has seizure. No one in my family or wife's family has had any type of seizure. So why MY son. I have read and researched all of this looking for a reason. Everything from cold med's to the vacc. to foods to allerigies.

I was looking for reasons as to why and not how to help. Now my philos. has changed I do not care at all what caused him to have these problems only what I can do to help.

No offense when I wrote false hope just a statement.

[RobinN]

... and yet, if it is virus related there are ways others are creating a more stable internal environment. Helping the immune system repair itself, and ridding the body of all toxins, and virus' that lay dormant.
So it is my opinion (for some), if you can see a cause, then the dreaded effect, you then know how to help.

I do not take offense with this subject, as it is such a new concept. Or at least one that "big" brother is now realizing exists. That at least is a first step. I also will not want to lay blame, as we all did what we believed was a good thing. However, the more and more information that is allowed into the media, we see that there is a way that some children can be healed. Perhaps even adults. Do these lay domant and produce late onset autism called Alzheimers? ... or Parkinson's? or Epilepsy?

Makes me think...

[RobinN]

[RobinN]

This is a great article by U.S. News and World Report

At some level, the decision was a vindication for families who have been battling with the vaccine community, arguing that some poorly understood reaction to components of vaccines or their mercury-based preservative, thimerosal, could cause brain injury. Yes, vaccines are extraordinarily safe and bring huge public health benefit. (Remember the 1950s polio epidemics?) But vaccine experts tend to look at the population as a whole, not at individual patients. And population studies are not granular enough to detect individual metabolic, genetic, or immunological variation that might make some children under certain circumstances susceptible to neurological complications after vaccination.

http://health.usnews.com/articles/he...ccine-war.html

[BuckeyeFan]

Your quote noted the polio epidemic being cured by vaccines. Check out a virus called 'Coxsackie Virus'. It has several variations (multiple type A and B). A couple of years ago when I had trouble with my B-12, iron, and thyroid, I was also tested for this and had positive titers (especially type B4 and B6).

More to the point, since I had no idea what the heck Coxsackie Virus was I researched it and it is thought to be a resistant off-spring of polio. It has a VERY similar genetic marker. Some of the studies speculated that the polio wasn't actually cured, just moved on to a new mutation.

I thought this sounded right up your alley Robin.

[RobinN]

It is very interesting.
So when our children are vaccinated with polio, are they given A or B or both?

Looking at Rebecca's vaccine record which I have out because I was counting the shots she had as a baby. I see she had the polio vaccine, DTP (which is three viruses in one), and the HiB, all on the same day. She was only 3 months of age. They did it again 2.5 months later, and yet again three months after that.

I believe they have added more to the schedule since she was a baby.

I just question this due to all three of my kids having either neurologist issues or immune deficiencies. We need to back up, and see if the "syndromes" slow down.

[BuckeyeFan]

They are not 'given' the A or B Coxsackie Virus in the vaccines. However, they think it might have mutated from the polio virus after the polio virus began to be eradicated. It was never seen before the vaccines for polio. Discovered in a town named Coxsackie (NY?) after an outbreak was identified.

The type I had was causing pain in my chest wall (thus had to have all the heart tests which came back fine).