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Published on: March 27, 2012

Immunization uptake in younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder

Ghassan Abu Kuwaik1, Wendy Roberts, Lonnie Zwaigenbaum

  • 11University of Toronto, Canada.

Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice
|October 10, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may delay or decline immunizations for younger siblings. This hesitancy increases the risk of preventable infectious diseases in these children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Immunology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

  • Parental concerns link immunizations to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk.
  • This fear may lead to lower vaccination rates in younger siblings of children with ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare immunization uptake in younger siblings versus their older siblings diagnosed with ASD (probands) and controls.
  • To investigate parental decisions regarding childhood immunizations in families with a history of ASD.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study analyzing immunization status.
  • Involved 98 younger siblings, 98 probands with ASD, and 65 controls.
  • Data collected on delayed or declined immunizations.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in overall immunization status were observed (p < .001).
  • 48% of younger siblings had delayed and 12.2% declined immunizations.
  • Controls were fully immunized; probands had lower rates than controls, and younger siblings had the lowest rates.

Conclusions:

  • Parents with a child diagnosed with ASD may delay or refuse immunizations for subsequent children.
  • This hesitancy poses a significant risk for younger siblings contracting preventable infectious diseases.
Abstract

Keywords:
autismautism spectrum disorderdiphtheria-pertussis-tetanus-polioimmunizationmeasles-mumps-rubella vaccineyounger siblings

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