Pertussis vaccine immunizations each year in the United States), and the risk of death from the disease was high (pertussis killed thousands of Americans each year before the vaccine was introduced). No studies showed a causal connection, and later studies showed no connection of any type between the DPT vaccine and permanent brain injury. The alleged vaccine-induced brain damage proved to be an unrelated condition, infantile epilepsy. In 1990, the "Journal of the American Medical Association" called the connection a "myth" and "nonsense". However, negative publicity and fear-mongering caused the immunization rate to fall in several countries, including the UK, Sweden, and
Dieterich's disease Dieterich's disease Dieterich’s disease, also known as avascular necrosis of the metacarpal hand, is an extremely rare condition characterized by temporary or permanent loss of blood supply to the metacarpal head of the metacarpal bone, resulting in loss of bone tissue. The five metacarpal bones are long bones located between the carpals of the wrist and phalanges of the fingers. Collectively, the metacarpals are referred to as the "metacarpus." The metacarpals are important in maintaining grip strength and mobility of the fingers. Dieterich's disease is often confused with Mauclaire disease, which is characterized by symmetrical flattening of all metacarpal heads.