Thimerosal exposure in early life and neuropsychological outcomes 7-10 years later.

Author: Barile JP, Kuperminc GP, Weintraub ES, Mink JW, Thompson WW.

Source: J Pediatr Psychol.

Year: 2012

Comment:

Abstract / Excerpt:

“OBJECTIVE: The authors used a public use data set to investigate associations between the receipt of thimerosal-containing vaccines and immune globulins early in life and neuropsychological outcomes assessed at 7-10 years.

METHODS:
The data were originally created by evaluating 1,047 children ages 7-10 years and their biological mothers. This study developed seven latent neuropsychological factors and regressed them on a comprehensive set of covariates and thimerosal exposure variables.

RESULTS:
The authors found no statistically significant associations between thimerosal exposure from vaccines early in life and six of the seven latent constructs. There was a small, but statistically significant association between early thimerosal exposure and the presence of tics in boys.

CONCLUSIONS:
This finding should be interpreted with caution due to limitations in the measurement of tics and the limited biological plausibility regarding a causal relationship.”

Citation:

Barile JP, Kuperminc GP, Weintraub ES, Mink JW, Thompson WW. Thimerosal exposure in early life and neuropsychological outcomes 7-10 years later. J Pediatr Psychol. 2012; 37(1): 106-18.