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Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines (1991)

Chapter: Glossary of Terms

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Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
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Glossary of Terms

A

Adsorbed vaccine. See Vaccine, pertussis v., adsorbed [USP].

Anaphylaxis. Generalized anaphylaxis is an acute, often explosive, systemic reaction characterized by pruritus, generalized flush, hives, respiratory distress, and vascular collapse and, occasionally, by seizures, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and incontinence. It occurs in a previously sensitized person who again receives the sensitizing antigen.

Arthralgia. Pain in a joint or joints.

Arthritis. Inflammation of a joint or joints detectable as swelling, redness, and tenderness.

Arthropathy. Any joint disease.

Aseptic meningitis. An inflammation of the meninges with typical changes in the cerebrospinal fluid, including increased numbers of white blood cells, normal glucose, and absence of bacteria on examination and culture. The most common causes include viral infection and noninfectious causes such as lead poisoning.

Attention deficit disorder (ADD). ADD is a neurobehavioral disorder in children characterized by three cardinal symptoms: inattention, hyperactiv

Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
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Page 284

ity, and impulsivity. Many children with ADD also exhibit symptoms of a learning disability, and many children with reading disabilities also exhibit evidence of ADD.

Attributable fraction (exposed). The attributable fraction among exposed individuals is the proportion by which the incidence rate of the outcome among those exposed would be reduced if the exposure were eliminated. It is assumed that causes other than the one under investigation have had equal effects on exposed and unexposed groups and that the effects of exposures are additive.

Attributable fraction (population). The attributable fraction in the population is the proportion by which the incidence rate of the outcome in the entire population would be reduced if the exposure were eliminated. It is assumed that causes other than the one under investigation have had equal effects on the exposed and unexposed groups and that the effects of exposure are additive.

Attributable risk (exposed). The rate of a disease or other outcome in exposed individuals that can be attributed to the exposure. This measure is estimated by subtracting the rate of the outcome (usually incidence or mortality) among unexposed individuals from the rate among exposed individuals. It is assumed that causes other than the one under investigation have had equal effects on exposed and unexposed groups and that the effects of different causes are additive. This term is often used, incorrectly, to denote the attributable fraction among exposed individuals and in the population.

Autism. The condition of being dominated by subjective, self-centered trends of thought or behavior that are not subject to correction by external information. One form, infantile autism, is a condition of the early years of life characterized by failure to relate in the usual way to people and situations and by repetitive activities, developmental language disorders, and a marked inability to adjust socially.

B

Bias. Deviation of results or inferences from the truth, or processes leading to such deviation.  Any trend in the collection, analysis, interpretation, publication, or review of data that can lead to conclusions that are systematically different from the truth. Not to be confused with prejudice or partisan point of view, as is the conventional usage.

C

Case-comparison study. (Syn: case-control study). A study that starts with the identification of persons with the disease or condition (adverse event) of interest and a suitable control (comparison) group of persons

Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
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without the disease. The relation of an attribute (e.g., immunization) to the disease is examined by comparing the diseased and nondiseased groups with regard to how frequently the attribute is present, or if quantitative, the levels of the attribute, in each of the groups.

Cohort study. (Syn: prospective, follow-up study). A study in which subsets of a defined population can be identified who are, have been, or in the future may be exposed or not exposed, or exposed in different degrees, to a factor or factors hypothesized to influence the probability of occurrence of a given disease (adverse event) or other outcome. The essential feature of the cohort design is observation of the population for a sufficient length of time to generate reliable incidence or mortality rates.

Controlled study. Controlled studies are studies that use a comparison group that differs from the subjects of the study in either disease experience (outcome) or allocation to a regimen (exposure). Allocation to a regimen can be random, as in a randomized clinical trial or study, or nonrandom, as in an observational cohort study or a case-control study.

D

DPT vaccine. See Vaccine, DPT v.

DTP vaccine. See Vaccine, DTP v.

E

Encephalopathy. Refers to a variety of conditions affecting the brain resulting in alterations in the level of consciousness, ranging from stupor to coma. At times, febrile seizures, afebrile seizures, and epilepsy have been considered components of encephalopathy (see Chapter 4).

Erythema multiforme. An inflammatory eruption characterized by symmetrical erythematous, edematous, or bullous lesions of the skin or mucous membranes.

Experimental study. A study in which a population is selected for a planned trial of a regimen (e.g, immunization) whose effects are measured by comparing the outcome of the regimen in the experimental group with the outcome of another regimen in a control group. Allocation of individuals to experimental or control groups is ideally by randomization.

G

Guillain-Barrè syndrome. An acute, usually rapidly progressive form of polyneuropathy characterized by muscular weakness and mild distal sensory loss.

H

Hemolytic anemia. Anemia caused by lysis of red blood cells, which leads

Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
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Page 286

to shortened in vivo survival of red blood cells, and an inability of the bone marrow to compensate for their decreased life span.

Hyperactivity (hyperkinesis). See Attention deficit disorder (ADD).

Hypotonicity, hypotonia. Decreased muscle tone.

Hypsarrhythmia. An electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormality observed in infants, with random, high-voltage slow waves and spikes that arise from multiple foci and spread to all cortical areas. This abnormal EEG pattern may be manifested clinically by spasms or quivering spells (myoclonus) and may be associated with mental retardation.

I

Immunization. The process of rendering a subject immune or of becoming immune. In this report the term has been accepted to be synonymous with vaccination. See Vaccination.

active i. Inoculation with a specific antigen to induce an immune response.

passive i. The conferral of specific immunity by the administration of sensitized lymphoid cells or serum from immune individuals.

Infantile spasms. A condition characterized by sudden flexion of the arms, forward flexion of the trunk, and extension of the legs. The attacks last only a few seconds but may be repeated many times a day. They are restricted to the first 3 years of life, often to be replaced by other forms of seizures.

J

Juvenile diabetes. An autoimmune disease characterized most frequently by low or absent levels of circulating endogenous insulin (more properly called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus).

L

Learning disability. A developmental disability defined by the discrepancy between a child's ability and his or her achievement. Learning disability may occur in any domain, but it is most commonly observed in reading. The terms reading disability and dyslexia are often used interchangeably.

M

Masked study. (Syn: blind or blinded study). A study in which an observer(s) and/or subjects are kept ignorant of the group to which subjects are assigned, as in an experiment, or of the population from which the subjects come, as in a nonexperimental study. When both observer and subjects are kept ignorant, the study is referred to as a double-masked study. The intent

Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
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of masking is to keep subjects and/or investigators unaware of knowledge that might introduce bias and, thus, eliminate the possible effects of bias.

Monitoring System for Adverse Events Following Immunization (MSAEFI). A passive surveillance system designed and monitored by the Centers for Disease Control for the purpose of collecting nationwide data on adverse events temporally associated with receipt of vaccines purchased with federal, state, or local government funds.

MSAEFI. See Monitoring System for Adverse Events Following Immunization.

N

Noncontrolled study. Noncontrolled studies are those that do not use a comparison group that differs from the subjects of the study in either disease experience (outcome) or allocation to a regimen (exposure). Examples include individual and comparative case series, case reports, and anecdotes.

O

Odds ratio (OR). In studies of adverse events following immunization, the OR generally refers to the exposure-odds ratio, which, for a set of case-comparison data, is the ratio of the odds in favor of exposure among the cases to the odds in favor of exposure among noncases. Under certain circumstances, usually met in the study of vaccine-related adverse events, the OR is considered a good estimate of the relative risk.

P

Parapertussis. An infectious disease caused by Bordetella parapertussis, a coccobacillus closely resembling Bordetella pertussis. Parapertussis is clinically indistinguishable from pertussis, but it is usually milder and less often fatal.

Peripheral mononeuropathy. A syndrome of sensory, motor, reflex, and vasomotor symptoms, singly or in any combination, produced by disease of a single peripheral nerve.

Pertussis (whooping cough). An infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis, a small, nonmotile, gram-negative coccobacillus. The disease is characterized by catarrh of the respiratory tract and peculiar paroxysms of cough, ending in a prolonged crowing, or whooping, respiration. The disease is most frequently encountered in children, is much more prevalent in cold weather, and is very contagious.

R

Radiculoneuritis. A combination of peripheral neuropathy with dorsal root (spinal nerve) pain.

Relative risk (RR). The ratio of the risk of disease or death among the

Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
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exposed to the risk among the unexposed. Generally derived from cohort studies.

Reye syndrome. An acute and often fatal childhood syndrome of encephalopathy and fatty degeneration of the liver, marked by rapid development of brain swelling, hepatomegaly, and altered levels of consciousness.

Rubella (German measles). A mild viral infection caused by an RNA virus classified as a togavirus. The infection is characterized by a pink, discrete, and confluent macular exanthem and is usually preceded by rhinorrhea, sore throat, and bulbar and, occasionally, palpebral conjunctivitis. Arthralgia is common, and monarticular arthritis occurs in 20 percent of patients, more so adults than children. Transplacental infection of the fetus in the first trimester produces developmental abnormalities of the heart, eyes, brain, bone, and ears in up to 40 percent of cases.

S

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently well, or virtually well, infant. SIDS is the most common cause of death of infants between ages 2 weeks and 1 year, accounting for one-third of all deaths in this age group.

T

Thrombocytopenia. A decrease in the number of platelets, the cells involved in clotting. Thrombocytopenia may stem from failure of platelet production, splenic sequestration of platelets, increased platelet destruction, increased platelet utilization, or dilution of platelets.

Thrombocytopenic purpura. Severe thrombocytopenia characterized by mucosal bleeding and bleeding into the skin in the form of multiple petechiae, most often evident on the lower legs, and scattered small ecchymoses (bruises) at sites of minor trauma. In children, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is usually self-limiting and follows a viral infection.

V

Vaccination. Inoculation with a vaccine for the purposes of inducing immunity. In this report the term has been accepted to be synonymous with immunization. See Immunization.

Vaccine. A material containing live attenuated or killed microorganisms, or constituents of microorganisms, capable of eliciting protection against infection.

DPT v. A trivalent vaccine containing diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.

DTP v. See DPT vaccine.

Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
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Page 289

MMR v. A sterile, lyophilized trivalent vaccine containing attenuated measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella viruses.

pertussis v. [USP]. A sterile bacterial fraction or suspension, in a sodium chloride solution or other suitable diluent, of killed pertussis bacilli of a strain or strains selected for high antigenic efficiency. It is an active immunizing agent against pertussis.

pertussis v., adsorbed [USP]. A sterile bacterial fraction or suspension, in a suitable diluent, of killed pertussis bacilli of a strain or strains selected for high antigenic efficiency and precipitated or adsorbed by the addition of aluminum hydroxide or aluminum phosphate and resuspended. It is an active immunizing agent against pertussis.

rubella v. A sterile preparation of live attenuated rubella virus.

Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
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Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
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Appendixes

Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
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Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
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Page 283
Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
×
Page 284
Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
×
Page 285
Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
×
Page 286
Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
×
Page 287
Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
×
Page 288
Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
×
Page 289
Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
×
Page 290
Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
×
Page 291
Suggested Citation:"Glossary of Terms." Institute of Medicine. 1991. Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/1815.
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Page 292
Next: Appendix A: Strategies for Gathering Information: Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines »
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Parents have come to depend on vaccines to protect their children from a variety of diseases. Some evidence suggests, however, that vaccination against pertussis (whooping cough) and rubella (German measles) is, in a small number of cases, associated with increased risk of serious illness.

This book examines the controversy over the evidence and offers a comprehensively documented assessment of the risk of illness following immunization with vaccines against pertussis and rubella. Based on extensive review of the evidence from epidemiologic studies, case histories, studies in animals, and other sources of information, the book examines:

  • The relation of pertussis vaccines to a number of serious adverse events, including encephalopathy and other central nervous system disorders, sudden infant death syndrome, autism, Guillain-Barre syndrome, learning disabilities, and Reye syndrome.
  • The relation of rubella vaccines to arthritis, various neuropathies, and thrombocytopenic purpura.

The volume, which includes a description of the committee's methods for evaluating evidence and directions for future research, will be important reading for public health officials, pediatricians, researchers, and concerned parents.

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