Gathering the evidence: ASD, new findings, and public policy. (Health).

Publication: Mothering

Publication Date: 01-NOV-02

Bookmark this article Print this article Link to this article Email this article Digg It! Add to del.icio.us RSS

COPYRIGHT 2002 Mothering Magazine

Autism is not a single entity, nor does it have simplistic genetic or epidemiological characteristics; rather, it represents a broad spectrum of clinical disorders that share behavioral and delayed-development features. Autism and its related entities are characterized by delayed neurodevelopment, lack or inappropriate use of language, stereotypical repetitive behaviors, and social withdrawal.

My colleagues and I at the International Child Development Resource Center (ICDRC) have been involved in describing and/ or treating this disorder from its biological roots, as opposed to the genetic and psychiatric perspectives. We have medically evaluated and treated over 1,500 children with autism-related disorders. Therefore, our insights contribute primarily to an understanding of the immunology and toxicology of this condition.

In July 2001, I presented the ICDRC data on mercury burden and autoimmunity to the Institute of Medicine (IOM). (1) There is a fundamental flaw in the analysis process of vaccine safety. The IOM has undertaken the process of drawing conclusions regarding separate pieces of the actual vaccine schedule when they are, in fact, an integrated event in an individual child's life.

I presented 221 children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who showed significantly greater mercury burden (500 percent, on average) when compared to neurologically normal controls. The study was based on routine heavy-metal provocation challenge testing similar to that published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2001. (2) I did not try to infer a direct tie to thimerosal. Rather, it was apparent that some possible foundational problem in the metabolism of heavy metals was present in the autistic population. This observation could represent a significant predisposing factor in their vulnerability to mercury when used as a preservative--a point the IOM did not mention. It is also consistent with research regarding sulfur depletion in the presence of persistent viral infections. The literature is replete with references in the case of HIV. (3) Rosemary Waring has found marked renal loss of sulfur in autism. (4)

Of most concern to me in the IOM's treatment of the mercury problems was the almost complete absence of regard for the compounding effect of thimerosal on preexisting mercury levels. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey study from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had already established that perhaps one in ten children is born to a mother with elevated mercury burden. (5)

Prevalence of ASD

The number...

Read the full article for free courtesy of your local library.