All of her tests are all normal. Because they don’t know why she is having seizures, the doctors put her on Dilantin (phenytoin). She is scheduled to see a neurologist at the children’s hospital in Denver, Colorado. Again, I will probably be told that they don’t know why or what can be done. Any information will be most appreciated. - ZG, Louisville, Colorado

A As you quite rightly point out, the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) and DTP (diphtheria- tetanus-pertussis) vaccines increase the rate of seizures by more than three times, as revealed by the most definitive research into the two jabs a few years ago (WDDTY vol 5 no 8, News). These findings were prepared by the authoritative and influential US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based in Atlanta, Georgia, and were derived from the most complete information yet compiled.

Using database technology, the CDC pulled together virtually every piece of research into adverse reactions associated with the two vaccines. In all, they were able to monitor the progress of 500,000 children, by far the most ever observed by any single piece of research.

They identified 34 major side-effects to the jabs - but it was the incidence of seizures that leapt off the graph. The rate of seizures increased to three times above the norm within the first day of a child receiving the DTP, and 2.7 times within four to seven days of a child being given the MMR, which increased to 3.3 times within eight to 14 days.

The effects of the DTP shot are immediate, causing seizures to increase three times the rate of normal within 24 hours of the jab being given, but then falling off rapidly to just 0.6 times the level of seizure after the first day. The MMR vaccine, however, is slower to take effect, only reaching its most dangerous period within eight days to two weeks after the jab is administered. The seizures are often serious, the CDC reported, with a quarter of all cases requiring treatment in hospital.

Since the period covered by this study, the use of acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine has replaced the DTP in the US. DTaP has been associated with fewer side-effects than DTP, but still includes febrile or fever-related seizures (www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002021.htm).

And according to the US Physicians’ Desk Reference, the tetanus vaccine can cause damage and degeneration of the nervous system, bringing epilepsy a step closer (WDDTY vol 5 no 1, Case Study). The American Academy of Science’s Institute of Medicine report on childhood vaccines also noted that the tetanus vaccine can definitely cause nervous system damage. Moreover, a lack of reaction to the first tetanus shot is not a guarantee that subsequent doses won’t have any adverse effects. In fact, the PDR says that booster doses are more likely to increase the incidence and severity of reactions if they are given too frequently.

You should also be aware of the inherent dangers associated with anticonvulsant drugs. Most of these work by damping down brain-cell electrical activity to stop the build up of electrical charges. The idea is to stop the seizures without losing any brain function. But this is a delicate balancing act. The doctor needs to be highly conversant with the various anticonvulsant drugs available, understand the kinds of seizures affecting a particular patient, and work with the patient as a partner in keeping a record of seizures, with regular electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring as well as tracking the levels and effects of the drug in the patient’s body.