SIDS AND VACCINES

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Characteristics of DPT Postvaccinal Deaths and DPT-caused Sudden Infant

Death Syndrome (SIDS): A Review C. Torch, Reno, NV, Neurology 36

(Suppl 1) April 1986

Eleven new DPT-SIDS cases by Torch (1985) and over 150 DPT-postvaccinal

deaths have been reported in the literature by 37 authors in 12

countries. About 50% of the deaths occurred within 24 hours of DPT, 75%

in 72 hours, 90% within 1 week and the rest within 20 months following

protracted reactions. About one-half were sudden (SIDS-like or

anaphylactic; about one-half followed neurotoxic or systemic symptoms

(dyspnea, apnea,

seizures, shock, irritability, lethargy, apathy, coma,

decerebrate-decorticate rigidity, spasticity, hypotonia or paralysis).

Of death in the first 24 hours, about three-fourths were SIDS-like, one

-fourth neurotoxic; between 24 and 72 hours, one-half SIDS-like,

one-half neurotoxic, after 72 hours, one-fifth SIDS like, four-fifths

neurotoxic. In deaths within 3 hours of DPT, the brain was normal; up to

5 days (maximally, between 6 and 72 hours), varying degrees of brain

edema, vascular congestion, petechia or hemmorhage, monocystic

infiltrates, and neuronal degeneration were seen. In some later deaths,

demyelination, gliosis or atrophy was seen. This and other authors

noted similar pathology between natural pertussis and DPT postvaccinal

encephalopathy and SIDS pathology including blood in nares, mouth , or

lungs; petechia in pleura, pericardium and thymus; vascular congestion,

pneumonitis, thymic and lymphoid changes. Ages ranged from 11 days to 3

years 4 months. About one fourth of the cases died outside the 2 to 6

month peak SIDS range. The male/female ratio was about 1:1. Ratio of

death due to DPT # 1,2,3, and 4 was about 24:31:6:4. Many dying of DPT

had URIs at the time, allergy or previous DPT reactions. These findings

indicate a toxic, immune or allergic process resulting in death at an

age when SIDS peaks in infants,

when DPT 1,2 and 3 are given. Although many feel that the DPT-SIDS

relationship is temporal, this author and others maintain a causal

relationship exists in a yet to be determined SIDS fraction.