Age: 1.5
Sex: M
Vaccine: DTAP, HIBV, MMR, MMR, DTAP, HEP, HIBV, IPV, MMR
Symptoms: Teething, Temporomandibular joint syndrome, Tonsillitis, Unresponsive to stimuli, Upper respiratory tract infection
Clinical narrative: SERIOUSNESS CRITERIA: OTHER - MEDICALLY SIGNIFICANT. This case was received from another manufacturer (reference number WAES0208USA03438) on 19 April 2007. The following information is verbatim as it appears in the other manufacturer's report: "Information has been received from a legal firm regarding a case in litigation concerning an approximately 18-month-old male who was injected with vaccines reportedly containing thimerosal. It is alleged that between 12 and 25 micrograms of toxic ethylmercury were injected into the patient's body with each individual dose of Thimerosal and that the schedule of injections introduced a cumulative dose of 238 micrograms. It was also alleged that at approximately 18 months of age, the patient suddenly regressed developmentally. He became withdrawn, unable to speak and unresponsive to his environment. The patients injuries included a loss of language skills, motor skills and effect. It is further alleged that beginning approximately 10-JULY-1998, at approximately 19 months of age, the patient began to display symptoms of neurological damage consistent with mercury poisoning, not limited to losing his language skills, engaging in repetitive and stereotypical behaviors, suffering from diminished cognitive ability and becoming socially withdrawn. The patient has since been diagnosed as suffering with mercury poisoning and disintegrative (or late onset, degenerative or regressive) autism. Follow up information has been received alleging that the patient was exposed to airborne vapors and mercury through the food chain, other mercury-laden products and power plant emissions. It is also alleged that the patient was exposed to mercury from continually inhaling and ingesting industrial emissions from the fossil fuel driven power plants. The mercury included in the thimerosal-laden products and power plant emissions together caused him to suffer serious and permanent injuries, including mental, intellectual, developmental and neurological incapacity and associated learning disabilities, disorders and impairments. It is further alleged that the patient had heightened vulnerability to suffer neurological injuries from industrial mercury as a direct result of thimerosal exposure. Information has been received on 20-MAR-2007 via medical records regarding a case in litigation concerning male patient born full-term to his 39-year-old mother who did not seek prenatal care during her pregnancy but denies any rash, bleeding, trauma or exposure to medication, drugs, alcohol, tobacco or radiation. The patient dose not have allergies and has a family history of diabetes and speech delay (sister and mother). It was reported that there is no family history of late walkers, learning disabilities, mental retardation, seizures, blindness-deafness, mental illness ore consanguinity. On 15-DEC-1995 he was vaccinated with a first dose of MMR II (lot# 617129/1469B). In July 995 the patient was evaluated for concerns regarding his communication skills. In July 1996, his hearing was assessed and found to be 'grossly normal'. Subsequently he was diagnosed with autism at one year of age, mental retardation of unspecified severity in January 1997, neurodevelopmental disorder, verbal communication disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder. It was noted that the patient had bruxism since he first acquired teeth. A neuropsychologist stated that his "special and affective development should be monitored carefully because he demonstrated little social reciprocity towards others and he had not demonstrated a constant interest in the activities of others beyond his mother and sister. At 24 months of age his over age-equivalent of 11 months indicated delays greater than 251 for age. He demonstrated nonverbal abilities ranging from 8 to 11 months. Language skills scattered up to 10 months. He exhibited greater than 25% delay for age in his adaptive communication, daily living, and socialization skills. His motor skills were measured within adequate range for age and represent a relative strength and his ability to regulate his emotions during his testing session fell within 'normal limits'. Patent received speech and language therapy as well as physical education. Or, 03-JUN-2002, it was reported that the patient was not on any medications. At the age of 6, the patient was placed in a classroom for autistic children. His primary mode of communication is through leading and grabing things he wants. His mother reported that he dose not point, and will often attempt to get things independently and not communicate his desire for such things. Functional communication deficits also appear to be instrumental in the above noted difficulties with tantrums and noncompliance. Other vaccination history included: first, second and third doses of ENGERIX B (lot# 1817AR) given on 27-JAN-1995, 01-MAY-1995 and 30-JUN-1995, respectively; doses one through five of TRIPEDIA given on 01-MAY1995 (lot# 383-900), 26-APR-1995 (lot# 383-900), 30-JUN-1995 (lot# 380-469), 29-MAR-1996 (lot# 435-909) and 19-OCT-2000 (lot# 922A2), respectively; doses one through four of HibTITER given on 01-MAR-1995 (lot# M315LE), 26-APR-1995 (lot# M265LJ), B 30-JUN-1995 (lot# M005LK), and 29-MAR-1996 (lot# M130NA), respectively; doses one, two and three of ORIMUNE given on 01-MAR-1995 (lot# 386-950), 26-APR-1995 (lot# 390-926) and 30-M-1995 (lot# 396-932), respectively; a dose of IPOL given on 19-OCT-2000 (lot# R1345, and a dose of Varivax (lot# 636569/0926K) given on 28-MAR-2007 contained the following adverse experience teething pain (30-JAN-1996); right otitis media, pharyngitis (21-MAY-1997); tonsillopharyngitis 10-NOV-1997 viral conjunctivitis (20-DEC-1997), eczema (18-FEB-1998); rhinitis (25-MAY-1998); upper respiratory infection (U.R.I.) 08-MAY-1998 pharyngitis, rhinitis pneumonia I, (28-JAN-1999); ear pain secondary to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) (05-FEB-1999); left otitis-media (10-MAY-1999); U.R.I right otitis media (23-DEC-1999); viral syndrome (20-JAN-2001); scabies (30-APR-2001); enuresis, encopresis (01-JUN-2002) and pityriasis rosea (18-DEC-2002). Upon internal review, autism, neurological damage, serious and permanent injuries and mercury poisoning were considered to be other medical events. Additional information has been requested. All medical records will be provided upon request."