Thread: More evidence that vaccines don't cause autism

More evidence that vaccines don't cause autism arises from study

Posted 35m ago
By Jenifer Goodwin, HealthDay

Infants exposed to the highest levels of thimerosal, a mercury-laden preservative that used to be found in many vaccines, were no more likely to develop autism than infants exposed to only a little thimerosal, new research finds.

The study offers more reassurance to parents who worry that vaccination raises their children's risk for autism, the researchers said.

"Prenatal and early life exposure to ethylmercury from thimerosal in vaccines or immunoglobulin products does not increase a child's risk of developing autism," concluded senior study author Dr. Frank DeStefano, director of the immunization safety office at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study was released online in advance of publication in the October print issue of Pediatrics.

Thimerosal has been used as a preservative in vaccines since the 1930s, according to background information in the article.

Concerns about the chemical began to crop up in 1999, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said that because of the increased number of thimerosal-containing vaccines added to the infant vaccination schedule, infants may be exposed to too much mercury. Thimerosal used to be found in hepatitis B, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B) and DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccines, among others.

During the ensuing years, the FDA worked with manufacturers to eliminate thimerosal from vaccines, according to the agency's website. Today, thimerosal has been removed or reduced to trace amounts in all vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age and younger, with the exception of inactivated seasonal flu vaccine, according to the FDA. Parents who are concerned about thimerosal can ask for a preservative-free version, DeStefano said.

And thimerosal wasn't the only proposed autism-vaccine link. A 1998 paper in The Lancet suggested the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine might trigger autism. The journal later retracted the paper, and numerous studies have refuted any link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

In February of 2009, a U.S. federal court ruled that there was no scientific evidence linking vaccines to autism.

In the new study, researchers examined medical records and conducted interviews with the mothers of 256 children with an autism spectrum disorder and 752 children matched by birth year who did not have autism. The children were all members of three health care management organizations in California and Massachusetts.

Researchers also gathered information about the manufacture and lot number of the vaccines that the children received, to determine how much thimerosal they were likely exposed to.

Children in the highest 10% of thimerosal exposure, either prenatally or between infancy and 20 months, were no more likely to have autism, an autism spectrum disorder or autism spectrum disorder with regression than children in the lowest 10% of exposure.

"This study adds to a large body of evidence indicating that early thimerosal exposure through vaccination does not cause autism," said Geraldine Dawson, chief science officer for a leading advocacy group, Autism Speaks. Dawson was not involved with the research.

She urged parents to have their children vaccinated.

"We encourage parents to have their children vaccinated and to establish a trusting relationship with their child's pediatrician so they can discuss any concerns they have," Dawson said.

http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/health ... ines_N.htm

So, what is causing the spike in autism cases?

Most people never heard of autism until the last two decades. But Autism Speaks says the rate is now 1 in every 166 children.

Correction, 1 in 150.

Correction, 1 in 110.

Check back tomorrow for the latest autism incidence rate from the CDC.

Originally Posted by MinutemanCDC_SC

[size=14]So, what is causing the spike in autism cases? . . .

What Causes Autism?

By Lisa Jo Rudy, About.com Guide
Updated March 11, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

What Causes Autism?:
The bottom line is, no one knows for sure what causes autism. Most experts will say that autism is probably caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Even those experts, though, do not have a definite answer. For many people, this uncertainty is terribly frustrating. On the plus side, interest in and funding for autism research is on the rise, so new and better information should be forthcoming in the next months and years.

A Controversial Topic:
The question of what causes autism is highly controversial. Many people are passionate about the issue, and hold strong beliefs. Books, articles and TV programs have raised awareness -- and heated up the argument. This article provides an overview of different theories, all of which have strong supporters.

Do Vaccines Cause Autism?:

Two theories link autism and vaccines. The first theory suggests that the MMR (Mumps-Measles-Rubella) vaccine may cause intestinal problems leading to the development of autism. The second theory suggests that a mercury-based preservative called thimerosal, used in some vaccines, could be connected to autism. To find out more, read Do Vaccines Cause Autism? and Is Autism on the Rise?.

Is Autism Genetic?:

It is likely that autism has a genetic basis of some sort. Many studies have shown that parents from families with autistic members are more likely to have autistic children. It is also the case that many families with one autistic child are at increased risk of having more than one autistic child. To find out more about autism and genetics, read Is Autism Genetic?

Is Autism Caused by Bad Parenting?:

No. Dr. Kanner, the man who first identified autism as a unique condition, had the idea that cold “refrigeratorâ€

Feds settle vaccine lawsuit and seal results.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDQGAy3P ... _embedded#!

Proof of Vaccine Autism Link - Fox News

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsnlifYu ... r_embedded

Psalm 91