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Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology
Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children
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Overview
Paper Summary
Conflicts of Interest
Identified Weaknesses
Rating Explanation
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Paper Summary
Paperzilla title
MMR and Autism: A Retracted Study That Sparked Controversy
This retracted study suggested a link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the onset of autism and gastrointestinal problems in a small group of children. This study has been widely discredited due to serious methodological flaws and ethical violations.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
The lead author, Andrew Wakefield, had undisclosed financial interests in developing alternative vaccines and diagnostic tests related to autism, creating a significant conflict of interest.
Identified Weaknesses
Small Sample Size
The study is based on a small sample size of 12 children, which limits the generalizability of the findings.
Retrospective Design
The study is retrospective in nature, relying on parental recall of events, which can be subject to bias and inaccuracies.
Lack of Control Group
The study lacks a control group, making it difficult to determine whether the observed association between MMR vaccination and developmental regression is causal or coincidental.
Confounding Factors
The study does not account for other potential environmental or genetic factors that could contribute to developmental regression.
Retraction
The study's findings have been retracted due to serious ethical concerns and data manipulation.
Rating Explanation
The study's small sample size, retrospective design, lack of a control group, and failure to account for confounding factors, combined with the serious ethical concerns and data manipulation that led to its retraction, render its findings unreliable and invalid.
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File Information
Original Title:
Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children
File Name:
PIIS0140673697110960.pdf
[download]
File Size:
0.92 MB
Uploaded:
July 08, 2025 at 11:49 AM
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