Study suggests MMR jab is not linked to autism

Tuesday 25th March 2008

There is no evidence to support the idea that the MMR jab damages the intestine and in turn causes autism, according to a new study.

Researchers examined the so-called "leaky gut" theory, which suggests that vaccines such as MMR can damage the wall of the intestine.

According to the theory, such vaccines cause digestive problems which lead to the production of peptides, which can damage the brain and possibly cause autism.

But the latest study, from researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital and the University of Edinburgh, found that children with autism do not produce higher levels of peptides, which are detectable in urine.

They examined 65 boys with autism aged five to 11 and 158 boys acting as controls, aged four to 11.

They said that they found "no significant differences" between the two groups when it came to levels of peptides, adding that their findings support earlier studies.

They also claimed theirs is the first to properly compare children with autism with a control group.

Dr Hilary Cass, from Great Ormond Street, said: "It is very distressing to have a diagnosis of autism, a lifelong condition.

"Many families are driven to try out interventions which currently have no scientific basis.

"For example, advocates of the leaky gut hypothesis offer children a casein and gluten-free diet which as yet lacks an evidence base.

"Our research throws serious doubt on the putative scientific basis of that diet and indicates that further work is needed to understand the role and outcomes of dietary intervention."

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Great Ormond Street Hospital