Primal Health Databank: Study

Entry No:0152
Title:Perinatal measles infection and subsequent Crohn's disease
Author(s):Ekbom E, Wakefield AJ, et al.
Reference:Lancet 1994; 344: 508-10
Place of Study:Sweden
Abstract:The authors identified all individuals born in four counties in central Sweden in 1945-54 who had had Crohn's disease diagnosed before the age of 30 years. A yearly report compiled in these counties revealed that 5 measles epidemics had affected all four counties during the trial period. The author calculated the expected number of patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis born during the three month period after the peaks of the epidemics. The number of people with Crohn's disease significantly exceeded that expected (57 versus 39). For patients with ulcerative colitis, the observed number (42) was close to that expected (46). Such results strengthen the hypothesis that measles is related to Crohn's disease and that the perinatal period is a time of vulnerability.
Keyword(s):Crohn's disease, measles, ulcerative colitis
Discussion:These findings were not confirmed by other studies. See in particular entry 0151 and 0153
See Also:0151, 0153

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