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A Dose-Response Relationship between Organic Mercury Exposure from Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Author

Listed:
  • David A. Geier

    (Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., 14 Redgate Ct., Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA)

  • Brian S. Hooker

    (Department of Biology, Simpson University, 2211 College View Dr., Redding, CA 96003, USA)

  • Janet K. Kern

    (Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., 14 Redgate Ct., Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA
    Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5353 Harry Hine Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390, USA)

  • Paul G. King

    (CoMeD, Inc., 14 Redgate Ct., Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA)

  • Lisa K. Sykes

    (CoMeD, Inc., 14 Redgate Ct., Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA)

  • Mark R. Geier

    (Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Inc., 14 Redgate Ct., Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA)

Abstract

A hypothesis testing case-control study evaluated concerns about the toxic effects of organic-mercury (Hg) exposure from thimerosal-containing (49.55% Hg by weight) vaccines on the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs). Automated medical records were examined to identify cases and controls enrolled from their date-of-birth (1991–2000) in the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) project. ND cases were diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), specific developmental delay, tic disorder or hyperkinetic syndrome of childhood. In addition, putative non-thimerosal-related outcomes of febrile seizure, failure to thrive and cerebral degenerations were examined. The cumulative total dose of Hg exposure from thimerosal-containing hepatitis B vaccine (T-HBV) administered within the first six months of life was calculated. On a per microgram of organic-Hg basis, PDD (odds ratio (OR) = 1.054), specific developmental delay (OR = 1.035), tic disorder (OR = 1.034) and hyperkinetic syndrome of childhood (OR = 1.05) cases were significantly more likely than controls to receive increased organic-Hg exposure. By contrast, none of the non-thimerosal related outcomes were significantly more likely than the controls to have received increased organic-Hg exposure. Routine childhood vaccination may be an important public health tool to reduce infectious disease-associated morbidity/mortality, but the present study significantly associates organic-Hg exposure from T-HBV with an increased risk of an ND diagnosis.

Suggested Citation

  • David A. Geier & Brian S. Hooker & Janet K. Kern & Paul G. King & Lisa K. Sykes & Mark R. Geier, 2014. "A Dose-Response Relationship between Organic Mercury Exposure from Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines and Neurodevelopmental Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:11:y:2014:i:9:p:9156-9170:d:39953
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Janet K. Kern & Boyd E. Haley & David A. Geier & Lisa K. Sykes & Paul G. King & Mark R. Geier, 2013. "Thimerosal Exposure and the Role of Sulfation Chemistry and Thiol Availability in Autism," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-30, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. José G. Dórea, 2015. "Exposure to Mercury and Aluminum in Early Life: Developmental Vulnerability as a Modifying Factor in Neurologic and Immunologic Effects," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-19, January.
    2. David A. Geier & Janet K. Kern & Kristin G. Homme & Mark R. Geier, 2018. "A Cross-Sectional Study of the Association between Infant Hepatitis B Vaccine Exposure in Boys and the Risk of Adverse Effects as Measured by Receipt of Special Education Services," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, January.

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