Flu vaccine linked to kids' sleep disorder
Source: Agencies |
February 1, 2013, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHILDREN in Britain who were vaccinated with a GlaxoSmithKline shot against H1N1 swine flu had a significantly increased risk of developing the rare sleep disorder narcolepsy, according to results of a scientific study.
The findings are the first firm evidence in Britain that the flu vaccine, called Pandemrix, is linked to narcolepsy cases in children.
Research in Finland, Sweden and Ireland has already found clear associations.
Pandemrix was given to 30 million people, including around six million in Britain, during the 2009-2010 flu pandemic.
In a research summary, the British researchers say "the increased risk of narcolepsy after Pandemrix suggests a causal association consistent with reports from Finland and Sweden."
The research team, led by Liz Miller, a consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Protection Agency, found an almost 10-fold increased risk in cases of the sleep disorder in children seen in sleep centers who had been immunized with Pandemrix.
The UK Health Protection Agency issued a statement saying the results suggest an increased risk "consistent with findings from studies in other European countries."
Studies from Sweden, Finland and Ireland found the risk of developing narcolepsy was between seven and 13 times higher for children who had Pandemrix.
Narcolepsy is a complex and life-long sleep disorder which is generally estimated to affect between 0.02 and 0.05 percent of the population. Its most common symptoms are bouts of daytime sleepiness, but in more severe forms it also brings nightmares, hallucinations, sleep paralysis and cataplexies, when strong emotions trigger a sudden loss of muscle strength.
The findings are the first firm evidence in Britain that the flu vaccine, called Pandemrix, is linked to narcolepsy cases in children.
Research in Finland, Sweden and Ireland has already found clear associations.
Pandemrix was given to 30 million people, including around six million in Britain, during the 2009-2010 flu pandemic.
In a research summary, the British researchers say "the increased risk of narcolepsy after Pandemrix suggests a causal association consistent with reports from Finland and Sweden."
The research team, led by Liz Miller, a consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Protection Agency, found an almost 10-fold increased risk in cases of the sleep disorder in children seen in sleep centers who had been immunized with Pandemrix.
The UK Health Protection Agency issued a statement saying the results suggest an increased risk "consistent with findings from studies in other European countries."
Studies from Sweden, Finland and Ireland found the risk of developing narcolepsy was between seven and 13 times higher for children who had Pandemrix.
Narcolepsy is a complex and life-long sleep disorder which is generally estimated to affect between 0.02 and 0.05 percent of the population. Its most common symptoms are bouts of daytime sleepiness, but in more severe forms it also brings nightmares, hallucinations, sleep paralysis and cataplexies, when strong emotions trigger a sudden loss of muscle strength.
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