I.R.I. v. HHS - MMR, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) / mitochondrial disease / SCAD deficiency / encephalopathy (2015)

On March 7, 2011, Ramanathan Padmanabhan and Krithika Srinivas, acting pro se, filed a petition on behalf of their minor son, I.R.I., alleging that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and varicella vaccines administered on or about March 13, 2008, significantly aggravated a pre-existing mitochondrial disease and caused him to suffer injuries. The petitioners repeatedly failed to comply with court orders to provide complete medical records and evidence of causation.

The medical records that were filed indicated that I.R.I. had a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), though the parents insisted he had a mitochondrial or metabolic disorder. The court found that the petitioners failed to establish a definitive diagnosis of a mitochondrial disorder or SCAD deficiency, and that the evidence did not support a Table encephalopathy claim or an off-Table causation claim.

The Special Master dismissed the case for failure to prosecute and, alternatively, denied the petition on the merits for failure to establish entitlement to compensation. The final decision was issued on March 26, 2015.

The public decision does not name the petitioner counsel or respondent counsel. The Special Master was Chief Special Master Denise Kathryn Vowell.

No award amount was granted as the petition was denied.