Autism - Signs, Symptoms, Treatments, Resources, Support for Autism

What Do Doctors Say About Autism Diets?

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:22:00 +0000

Question: What Do Doctors Say About Autism Diets?

What do doctors say about autism diets? Can they really make a difference?

Answer: While some practitioners (Defeat Autism Now doctors in particular) recommend special autism diets for their patients, most mainstream practitioners do not. This is most likely because many of the theories behind these diets (most of which eliminate wheat and dairy) appear to be incorrect - and others are not fully researched. The bottom line, however, is that Gluten Free Cassein Free (GFCF) diets can make a difference for some children with autism. This is probably not because they heal or cure underlying symptoms of autism, but because they treat gastrointestinal problems which are surprisingly common among children with autism (about 12% to 19% of children with autism have chronic diarrhea, constipation, reflux and other issues).
Dr. Cynthia Molloy is a researcher at the Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. She explains why such a diet might be helpful, and it is really just common sense. Here's the gist of her explanation: If a child is suffering from chronic diarrhea, constipation, reflux, or another significant gastrointestinal problem, he or she is likely to be uncomfortable. An uncomfortable child is likely to be easily frustrated and quick to anger and is likely to have challenging behaviors. Gluten (wheat) and cassein (milk) are often the culprits behind such issues. Eliminate the gluten and cassein, and you may eliminate the gastrointestinal problem. Eliminate the problem, and you eliminate the pain. Eliminate the pain, and the frustration, anger and behaviors may well evaporate!

_Sources:
_{Campbell,DB et al. "A genetic variant that disrupts MET transcription is associated with autism." Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2006 Nov 7;103(45):16834-9.}
_{Interview with Dr. Cynthia Molloy, M.D., M.S.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics,
Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics,
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, March 13, 2007.}
_{Jyonouchi H, Geng L, Ruby A, Zimmerman-Bier B. "Dysregulated
innate immune responses in young children with autism spectrum
disorders: their relationship to gastrointestinal symptoms and dietary
intervention." Neuropsychobiology. 2005;51(2):77-85.}
_{Molloy CA, Manning-Courtney, P. "Prevalence of Chronic
Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children with Autism and Autism Spectrum
Disorder." Autism. 2003. 7(2) 165-171.}

Can Wheat or Dairy Cause Autism?

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:20:00 +0000

Can gluten or casein (wheat or dairy) actually cause autism? Books and websites galore recommend that people with autism eliminate wheat and dairy from their diets. Some therapists, parents, doctors and writers swear they know a child who, as a result of this diet, has completely "recovered" from autism, and the child no longer qualifies for an autism spectrum label. Mainstream doctors and researchers, however, tend to be skeptical about claims of "cures" as a result of dietary change.
Could wheat and dairy actually be the culprits for at least some cases of autism?

Do Gluten and Cassein Cause Autism? The Opiate Theory

A popular theory follows this logic:

Wheat gluten and cassein contain proteins which break down into molecules that resemble opium-like drugs.
Children with autism have compromised digestive systems, including "leaky guts." Leaky gut syndrome is a somewhat controversial diagnosis; in essence, it means that a person's intestines are unusually permeable, allowing extra-large molecules (such as proteins) to leave the intestines. Thus, instead of simply excreting these large opium-like molecules, autistic children absorb the molecules into their bloodstreams.
The molecules travel to the brain, where they induce a state similar to that of a drug-induced "high."
When wheat and cassein are removed from the diet, the child no longer experiences the high, and his or her behaviors and abilities radically improve.

A corollary to this theory states that when a child's preferred diet is mostly items containing wheat and dairy (pizza, crackers, milk, ice cream, yogurt, sandwiches - in short, what we often think of as "kid food"), that proves that the child is addicted to the opiate-like molecules and would benefit from the GFCF diet.

Does the Opiate Theory of Autism Hold Any Water?

It's not easy to track down evidence for each element of the opiate theory. Here, however, is the information I've been able to glean so far:

Wheat and dairy do in fact break down into peptides which, in fact, look a lot like opium-like drugs. These are called gluteomorphines and cassomorphines.
Some children with autism (though by no means all) do have gastrointestinal issues. A subgroup of these children have leaky intestines.
Some studies show that the peptides in question are found in unusually high amounts in the urine of autistic children - but those studies included only children with existing gastrointestinal issues. A study that included a broader group of autistic children did not show an increased level of peptides in the urine.
There have been studies showing that the brains of rats injected with casomorphines are activated in areas affected by autism (though there are still big questions about which areas of the brain really are affected by autism, which makes me question the outcome of that particular study).
I could not find any evidence to show that gluteomorphines and casomorphines actually cause autistic-like behaviors. Several studies have looked at the impact of Naltrexone (not approved in the U.S.) - a drug which blocks the impact of gluteomporphines and casomorphines on the brain. The researchers found that there was little support for the idea that Naltrexone is effective in treating symptoms of autism.
Many studies have shown that a GFCF diet is effective in treating symptoms of autism, though quite a few equally credible studies seem to show otherwise.

To verify my own research, I checked in with Dr. Cynthia Molloy, M.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Here is her response:

The dietary proteins could reasonably have an impact on GI issues, but even that has not been clearly demonstrated. There is no empiric evidence to support a causative relationship between these proteins and autism. It is conjecture to draw the conclusion that a child is experiencing an opiate effect from foods because he craves them. Weighing all of this evidence, it is my opinion that the opiate theory of autism holds very little water - though the GFCF diet itself may hold some promise.

Why Does GFCF Seem to Work?

GFCF diets are difficult and expensive to administer. They require a lot of dedication and knowlege, and most professionals suggest that the diet be implemented over at least three months. Given all of this, it's possible that parents who desperately want to see improvement could report improvement that may or may not actually be present. In addition, many children do gain new skills over the course of three months, with or without special diets.

But there's more to the story that just wishful thinking. Allergies to gluten and cassein are not uncommon, and those allergies often manifest themselves in diarrhea, constipation, bloating and other symptoms. About 19 to 20 percent of autistic children seem to have significant gastrointestinal issues.
If these issues are caused by gluten and/or cassein, then they would certainly be significantly improved by the diet. By removing a source of constant discomfort and anxiety, parents may well be opening the door to improved behaviors, better focus, and even lowered anxiety.

_Sources:
Christison, G.W., and K. Ivany. 2006. "Elimination diets in autism spectrum disorders: any wheat amidst the chaff?" J Dev Behav Pediatr. 27(2 Suppl):S162-S171.
Cornish, E. 2002. "Gluten and casein free diets in autism: a study of the effects on food choice and nutrition." J Hum.Nutr.Diet. 15(4):261-269.
Elchaar, G.M., et al. 2006. "Efficacy and safety of naltrexone use in pediatric patients with autistic disorder." Ann.Pharmacother. 40(6):1086-1095.
Elder, J., et al. 2006. "The Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet in Autism: Results of a Preliminary Double Blind Clinical Trial." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 36:413-420.
Erickson, C. et al. 2005. "Gastrointestinal Factors in Autistic Disorder: A Critical Review." Behavioral Science Volume 35, Number 6 / December, 2005
[url link=http://autism.healingthresholds.com/]Healing Thresholds website
Interview with Dr. Cynthia Molloy, M.D., M.S. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, March 13, 2007.

Who Recommends Gluten Free and other Special Diets for Autism?

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:17:00 +0000

While mainstream doctors are unlikely to recommend special diets for children with autism, alternative doctors and practitioners may suggest gluten-free, casein-free and other restricted diets. To get more information about just why these diets are recommended, I contacted the Autism Research Institute (ARI). ARI, one of the first autism organizations in America, is the developer of the Defeat Autism Now (DAN!) protocol. DAN! is a highly controversial biomedical approach to autism treatment. There are many anecdotal stories of children "recovering" from autism as a result of the diets, supplements and other treatments recommended by ARI, and ARI itself has conducted research on its protocols. Mainstream medical professionals, however, feel that aspects of the approach are likely to be ineffective or even potentially dangerous.

The following questions came directly from the About.com Guide to Autism, while the answers were provided by Maureen H. McDonnell, R.N., DAN! Conference Coordinator and former DAN! clinician.

Why Do You Recommend a Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Diet for Children on the Autism Spectrum?

The diet is one of the very first recommendations we make, and consider it to be a cornerstone of the DAN! Approach. The reasons are many: first, many of the children lack the [dpp4] enzyme that allows them to break down the peptides from gluten and casein. As a result, a subset of autistic individuals have these improperly digested proteins which cross the intestinal membrane, travel in the blood, pass through the blood-brain barrier and interfere with neurotransmission. When this happens, Dr. Karl Reichelt, M.D., Ph.D., and other researchers have shown that these opioid-like substances can be responsible for poor attention, odd behavior, a deficit in socialization skills and poor speech. Conversely, when gluten- and casein-based foods are removed, there can be an initial drug-withdrawal phase [when symptoms can worsen], followed by improved behavior, better attention, at times improved speech and an increase in socialization skills.

What Other Related Interventions Do You Recommend?

If a child has gastrointestinal issues, we often go one step further than the gf/cf diet and recommend a specific carbohydrate diet (SCD). The reason here is that in addition to lacking the dpp4 enzyme, many children also are deficient in disaccharides. This research was done by a Harvard professor who is also a pediatric gastroenterologist: Tim Buie, M.D., and his associate Raphael Kusshak, Ph.D. We have found repeatedly that by parents' removing all complex carbohydrates for a period of time, the intestinal inflammation often improves. Subsequently, not only is there an improvement in the consistency and frequency of bowel movements, and a decrease in abdominal bloating and discomfort, but also positive changes in behavior and attention are observed. It has also been shown that the dpp4 enzyme that we need to break down casein and gluten is blocked by mercury. So, in addition to the diet and giving appropriate nutrient supplementation, we also recommend children be properly assessed for heavy metal toxicity like mercury overload. After a child is stabilized on the diet, the gut symptoms diminish and they are being adequately fortified nutritionally (all very important), we often recommend testing and chelation therapy to remove the excessive toxins.

Isn't It Possible That the Positive Effects from the Gluten Free/Casein Free Diet Are Simply the Result of Improved Digestion?

I think your hypothesis that the improvements we see in behavior, speech, etc., are the result of a decrease in GI symptoms, and not the removal of opioid like substances has some merit. However, many researchers like Reichelt, Shattock and others are convinced that the removal of gluten and casein and the subsequent reduction in peptides directly impact those symptoms. It's most likely a combination of both.
_References:
Email interview with Maureen H. McDonnell, RN DAN! Conference Coordinator and former DAN! clinician. March, 2007.
Christison, G.W., and K. Ivany. 2006. "Elimination diets in autism spectrum disorders: any wheat amidst the chaff?" J Dev Behav Pediatr. 27(2 Suppl):S162-S171.
Cornish, E. 2002. "Gluten and casein free diets in autism: a study of the effects on food choice and nutrition." J Hum.Nutr.Diet. 15(4):261-269.
Elchaar, G.M., et al. 2006. "Efficacy and safety of naltrexone use in pediatric patients with autistic disorder." Ann.Pharmacother. 40(6):1086-1095.
Elder, J., et al. 2006. "The Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet in Autism: Results of a Preliminary Double Blind Clinical Trial." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 36:413-420.
Erickson, C. et al. 2005. "Gastrointestinal Factors in Autistic Disorder: A Critical Review." Behavioral Science Volume 35, Number 6 / December, 2005
Interview with Dr. Cynthia Molloy, M.D., M.S. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, March 13, 2007.

Risks Related to Dairy-Free Diets for Autism

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:59:00 +0000

A study from the National Institutes of Health and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center states: "...dairy-free diets and unconventional food preferences could put boys with autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at higher than normal risk for thinner, less dense bones when compared to a group of boys the same age who do not have autism." The researchers believe that boys with autism and ASD are at risk for poor bone development for a number of reasons. These factors are lack of exercise, a reluctance to eat a varied diet, lack of vitamin D, digestive problems, and diets that exclude casein (a protein found in milk and milk products). Dairy products are a significant source of calcium and vitamin D. Casein-free diets are a controversial treatment thought by some to lessen the symptoms of autism. According to the study: "Our results suggest that children with autism and autism spectrum disorder may be at risk for calcium and vitamin D deficiencies...Parents of these children may wish to include a dietitian in their children's health care team, to ensure that they receive a balanced diet." Mary L. Hediger, PhD, one of the researchers, stressed that the current study results need to be confirmed by larger studies. Until definitive information is available, she says it would be prudent for parents of children with autism and ASD to consult a dietitian, particularly if a child's diet does not include dairy products or she is not otherwise eating a balanced diet. This very useful study offers a simple, easy-to-implement take-home message. Parents with children who either won't eat dairy or are on dairy-free diets should be vigilant about their children's nutritional intake, ensuring sufficient intake of vitamin D and calcium. Of course, that's not new information -- but for parents who are considering a GFCF (gluten- and casein-free) diet for their children with autism, it's critically important. Source: Hediger, Mary L. "Thin Bones Seen In Boys with Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.February, 2008.

Do Vaccines Cause Autism

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:40:00 +0000

Nearly all of the leading health organizations including the CDC and the NIH say that there is no relationship between vaccines and autism. Yet many parents are convinced there is more to the story, and doubts about the safety of vaccines linger in their minds. How did this controversy get started -- and why is it still such a concern? Before launching into the issues surrounding vaccines and autism, it's important to note that, with very rare exceptions, no one on either side of the vaccine issues is "anti-vaccine." Every doctor and researcher with any real credentials acknowledges that vaccinations have saved thousands and possibly millions of lives -- and even those doctors who are most vocal in their concerns about vaccines offer recommendations for what they consider to be "safe" vaccines.

Thimerosal and Expanded List of Vaccines

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:09:00 +0000

Thimerosal Content in Currently Manufactured U.S. Licensed Vaccines

Vaccine	Trade Name	Manufacturer	Thimerosal Concentration¹	Mercury
Anthrax	Anthrax vaccine	Emergent BioDefense Operations Lansing Inc.	0	0
DTaP	Tripedia²	Sanofi Pasteur, Inc	≤ 0.00012%	≤ 0.3 µg/0.5 mL dose
	Infanrix	GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals	0	0
	Daptacel	Sanofi Pasteur, Ltd	0	0
DTaP-HepB-IPV	Pediarix	GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals	0	0
DT	No Trade Name	Sanofi Pasteur, Inc	< 0.00012% (single dose)	< 0.3 µg/0.5mL dose
DT	No Trade Name	Sanofi Pasteur, Ltd³	0.01%	25 µg/0.5 mL dose
Td	No Trade Name	MassBiologics	≤ 0.00012%	≤ 0.3 µg mercury/0.5 ml dose
	Decavac	Sanofi Pasteur, Inc	≤ 0.00012%	≤ 0.3 µg mercury/0.5 ml dose
	No Trade Name	Sanofi Pasteur, Ltd	0	0
Tdap	Adacel	Sanofi Pasteur, Ltd	0	0
Tdap	Boostrix	GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals	0	0
TT	No Trade Name	Sanofi Pasteur, Inc	0.01%	25 µg/0.5 mL dose
Hib	ActHIB/OmniHIB⁴	Sanofi Pasteur, SA	0	0
	HibTITER	Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	0	0
	PedvaxHIB liquid	Merck & Co, Inc	0	0
Hib/HepB	COMVAX⁵	Merck & Co, Inc	0	0
Hepatitis B	Engerix-B Pediatric/adolescent Adult	GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals	0 0	0 0
Hepatitis B	Recombivax HB Pediatric/adolescent Adult (adolescent) Dialysis	Merck & Co, Inc	0 0 0	0 0 0
Hepatitis A	Havrix	GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals	0	0
Hepatitis A	Vaqta	Merck & Co, Inc	0	0
HepA/HepB	Twinrix	GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals	< 0.0002%	< 1 µg/1mL dose
IPV	IPOL	Sanofi Pasteur, SA	0	0
IPV	Poliovax	Sanofi Pasteur, Ltd	0	0
Influenza	Afluria	CSL Limited	0 (single dose) 0.01% (multidose)	0/0.5 mL (single dose) 24.5 µg/0.5 mL (multidose)
	Fluzone⁶	Sanofi Pasteur, Inc	0.01%	25 µg/0.5 mL dose
	Fluvirin	Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Ltd	0.01%	25 µg/0.5 ml dose
	Fluzone (no thimerosal)	Sanofi Pasteur, Inc	0	0
	Fluvirin (Preservative Free)	Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Ltd	< 0.0004%	< 1 µg/0.5 mL dose
	Fluarix	GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals	< 0.0004%	< 1 µg/0.5 ml dose
	FluLaval	ID Biomedical Corporation of Quebec	0.01%	25 µg/0.5 ml dose
Influenza, live	FluMist	MedImmune Vaccines, Inc	0	0
Japanese Encephalitis⁷	JE-VAX	Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University	0.007%	35 µg/1.0mL dose 17.5 µg/0.5 mL dose
MMR	MMR-II	Merck & Co, Inc	0	0
Meningococcal	Menomune A, C, AC and A/C/Y/W-135	Sanofi Pasteur, Inc	0.01% (multidose) 0 (single dose)	25 µg/0.5 dose 0
Meningococcal	Menactra A, C, Y and W-135	Sanofi Pasteur, Inc	0	0
Pneumococcal	Prevnar (Pneumo Conjugate)	Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc	0	0
Pneumococcal	Pneumovax 23	Merck & Co, Inc	0	0
Rabies	IMOVAX	Sanofi Pasteur, SA	0	0
Rabies	Rabavert	Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics	0	0
Smallpox (Vaccinia), Live	ACAM2000	Acambis, Inc.	0	0
Typhoid Fever	Typhim Vi	Sanofi Pasteur, SA	0	0
Typhoid Fever	Vivotif	Berna Biotech, Ltd	0	0
Varicella	Varivax	Merck & Co, Inc	0	0
Yellow Fever	Y-F-Vax	Sanofi Pasteur, Inc	0	0
Table Footnotes Thimerosal is approximately 50% mercury (Hg) by weight. A 0.01% solution (1 part per 10,000) of thimerosal contains 50 µg of Hg per 1 ml dose or 25 µg of Hg per 0.5 ml dose. Sanofi Pasteur's Tripedia may be used to reconstitute ActHib to form TriHIBit. TriHIBit is indicated for use in children 15 to 18 months of age. This vaccine is not marketed in the US. OmniHIB is manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur but distributed by GlaxoSmithKline. COMVAX is not licensed for use under 6 weeks of age because of decreased response to the Hib component. Children under 3 years of age receive a half-dose of vaccine, i.e., 0.25 mL (12.5 µg mercury/dose.) JE-VAX is distributed by Aventis Pasteur. Children 1 to 3 years of age receive a half-dose of vaccine, i.e., 0.5 mL (17.5 µg mercury/dose).

Thimerosal in Vaccines

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:07:00 +0000

Sensitivity to Mercury varies widely from person to person, as does the body's natural ability to detoxify. Some children can get rid of the Mercury quickly, while in others, the toxin remains in the body longer, allowing it time to bind tightly in the brain and other organs. Before six months of age, infants do not produce bile, which is necessary to excrete Mercury. Mercury is one of the most toxic elements on earth, second only to Plutonium. The amount of Mercury found in one Mercury thermometer is enough to pollute a small 20 acre lake. This metal is available in three basic forms, organic, ionic, heavy metal, and is known to form very tight bonds within the bodies sulfur-hydro groups. The enzymes, which our immune system relies on for chemical reactions to occur, become disrupted as a result of the mercury binding to these sulfur-hydro groups. Sulfur is used as a binding compound within these groups and without them, or if any are absent, the body cannot make connective tissue or anti-bodies for the Immune System.

Thimerosal is a mercury-containing organic compound (an organomercurial). Since the 1930s, it has been widely used as a preservative in a number of biological and drug products, including many vaccines, to help prevent potentially life threatening contamination with harmful microbes. Over the past several years, because of an increasing awareness of the theoretical potential for neurotoxicity of even low levels of organomercurials and because of the increased number of thimerosal containing vaccines that had been added to the infant immunization schedule, concerns about the use of thimerosal in vaccines and other products have been raised. Indeed, because of these concerns, the Food and Drug Administration has worked with, and continues to work with, vaccine manufacturers to reduce or eliminate thimerosal from vaccines.

Thimerosal has been removed from or reduced to trace amounts in all vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age and younger, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine. A preservative-free version of the inactivated influenza vaccine (contains trace amounts of thimerosal) is available in limited supply at this time for use in infants, children and pregnant women. Some vaccines such as Td, which is indicated for older children (≥ 7 years of age) and adults, are also now available in formulations that are free of thimerosal or contain only trace amounts. Vaccines with trace amounts of thimerosal contain 1 microgram or less of mercury per dose.

Thimerosal Content of Vaccines Routinely Recommended for Children 6 Years of Age and Younger

Vaccine	Tradename (Manufacturer)	Thimerosal Status Concentration**(Mercury)	Approval Date for Thimerosal Free or Thimerosal / Preservative Free (Trace Thimerosal)*** Formulation
DTaP	Infanrix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals)	Free	Never contained more than a trace of thimerosal, approval date for thimerosal-free formulation 9/29/2000
	Daptacel (Sanofi Pasteur, Ltd)	Free	Never contained Thimerosal
	Tripedia (Sanofi Pasteur, Inc)	Trace(≤0.3 µg Hg/0.5mL dose)	03/07/01
DTaP-HepB-IPV	Pediarix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals)	Free	Never contained more than a Trace of Thimerosal, approval date for thimerosal-free formulation 1/29/2007
DTaP-IPV/Hib	Pentacel (sanofi pasteur Ltd.)	Free	Approved June 20, 2008, never contained thimerosal
DTaP-IPV	KINRIX (Glaxo SmithKline Biologicals)	Free	Approved October 8, 2009, never contained thimerosal
Pneumococcal conjugate	Prevnar (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc)	Free	Never contained Thimerosal
Pneumococcal conjugate	Prevnar 13 (Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc.)	Free	Approved February 24, 2010, never contained thimerosal
Inactivated Poliovirus	IPOL (Sanofi Pasteur, SA)	Free	Never contained Thimerosal
Varicella (chicken pox)	Varivax (Merck & Co, Inc)	Free	Never contained Thimerosal
Mumps, measles, and rubella	M-M-R-II (Merck & Co, Inc)	Free	Never contained Thimerosal
Mumps, measles, rubella and varicella	ProQuad (Merck & Co., Inc.)	Free	Approved September 6, 2005, never contained thimerosal.
Heptatitis A	Havrix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals)	Free	Never contained thimerosal
Heptatitis A	Vaqta (Merck & Co., Inc.)	Free	Never contained thimerosal
Hepatitis B	Recombivax HB (Merck & Co, Inc)	Free	08/27/99
Hepatitis B	Engerix B (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals)	Free	03/28/00, approval date for thimerosal-free formulation 1/30/2007
Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate (Hib)	ActHIB (Sanofi Pasteur, SA) OmniHIB (GlaxoSmithKline)	Free	Never contained Thimerosal
	PedvaxHIB (Merck & Co, Inc)	Free	Approval date for thimerosal free formulation 08/99
	HIBERIX (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals)	Free	Approved August 19, 2009, never contained thimerosal
Hib/Hepatitis B combination	Comvax (Merck & Co, Inc)	Free	Never contained Thimerosal
Seasonal Trivalent Influenza	Fluzone (multi-dose presentation) (Sanofi Pasteur, Inc)	0.01% (12.5 µg/0.25 mL dose, 25 µg/0.5 mL dose)2
	Fluzone (single-dose presentation) (Sanofi Pasteur, Inc)3	Free	12/23/2004
	Fluvirin (multi-dose presentation) (Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Ltd)	0.01% (25 µg/0.5 mL dose)
	Fluvirin (single dose presentation) (Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Ltd) (Preservative Free)	Trace (<1ug Hg/0.5mL dose)	09/28/01
	Fluarix (single-dose presentation) (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals)	Free	Approved 10/19/09, never contained thimerosal
	Afluria (multi-dose presentation) (CSL Limited)	0.01% (24.5 µg/0.5 mL dose)
	Afluria (single-dose presentation) (CSL Limited)	Free	Approved 11/10/09, never contained thimerosal
Seasonal Influenza, live	FluMist(MedImmune Vaccines, Inc)	Free	Never contained Thimerosal
Rotavirus	RotaTeq (Merck and Co., Inc.)	Free	Approved February 3, 2006, never contained thimerosal
Rotavirus	Rotarix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals)	Free	Approved April 3, 2008, never contained thimerosal

** Thimerosal is approximately 50% mercury (Hg) by weight. A 0.01% solution (1 part per 10,000) of thimerosal contains 50 µg of Hg per 1 mL dose or 25 µg of Hg per 0.5 mL dose.
*** The term "trace" has been taken in this context to mean 1 microgram of mercury per dose or less.
¹ HibTiITER was also manufactured in thimerosal-preservative containing multidose vials but these were no longer available after 2002.
² Children 6 months old to less than 3 years of age receive a half-dose of vaccine, i.e., 0.25 mL; children 3 years of age and older receive 0.5 mL.
³ A trace thimerosal containing formulation of Fluzone was approved on 9/14/02 and has been replaced with the formulation without thimerosal.

Guidelines for safe exposure to Thimerosal

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:44:00 +0000

Guidelines for safe exposure to methylmercury are based on the analysis of unintended environmental exposures resulting in overt toxicity. Such guidelines have been developed by three federal agencies and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The World Health Organization recommends a limit of 3.3 micrograms of methylmercury/ kilogram of body weight/ week (0.47 micrograms/ kg/ day).

Three U.S. federal agencies have set lower guidelines for methylmercury exposure:

    Environmental Protection Agency: 0.1 micrograms/ kg/ day
    Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry: 0.3 micrograms/ kg/ day
    Food and Drug Administration: 0.4 micrograms/ kg/ day

Although these guidelines are each slightly different, but each leaves a large margin for safety, and exposure to amounts that exceed these guidelines does not mean that the developing infant is exposed to toxic levels of mercury.

A concentration of 1:10,000

    = 0.01% concentration
    = 50 micrograms per 0.5 mL

1 microgram

    = 1mcg
    = one millionth of a gram

Most pediatric vaccines come in doses of 0.5 mL (one-half milliliters) so most concentrations are reported “per 0.5 mL.”

Because thimerosal is half mercury, a vaccine with 0.01% concentration of thimerosal

    = 0.005% concentration of mercury
    = 25 micrograms of mercury per 0.5 mL of vaccine.

(For comparison, most commercial fish contain an average of 23 micrograms of mercury per 8 ounces of fish (i.e., 0.1 micrograms of mercury per gram of fish)).

Is thimerosal still in the vaccines that children receive?

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:41:00 +0000

Currently, all pediatric vaccines in the routine infant immunization schedule are manufactured without thimerosal as a preservative. As of January 14, 2003, the final lots of vaccines containing thimerosal as a preservative expired.

Other vaccines (for example, influenza vaccine; tetanus and diphtheria vaccine for older children and adults) continue to be manufactured with thimerosal as a preservative—although influenza vaccine without thimerosal preservative is also available.

Trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) has recently been recommended for all children 6-23 months of age, in addition to the long-standing recommendations to give TIV to children and adults with certain medical conditions as well as older adults.

Thimerosal-free TIV is not available in the United States. However, TIV is available both with trace amounts of thimerosal and with thimerosal as a preservative.

The amount of thimerosal in current influenza vaccines is so low that it should not raise concern. The concern in 1999 regarding thimerosal in childhood vaccines was for their administration to infants in the first 6 months of life and reflected the possible cumulative total ethyl mercury burden from all the thimerosal-containing products administered at newborn, 2, 4 and 6 months of age.

For a current listing of the mercury concentration in most U.S. licensed vaccines, you can access the website of the FDA or the Johns Hopkins University Institute for Vaccine Safety.

The U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences—a private, independent organization created by the federal government to be an adviser on scientific and technological matters—has established an independent expert committee to review immunization safety concerns, including thimerosal in vaccines.

On October 1, 2001, the IOM Immunization Safety Review Committee issued its report “Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines and Neurodevelopmental Disorders,” concluding, “The hypothesis that thimerosal exposure through the recommended childhood immunization schedule has caused neurodevelopmental disorders is not supported by clinical or experimental evidence”.

Since that review, several new studies have looked for, but not found—an association of thimerosal exposure with autism and other developmental disorders (see References).

In 2004, the IOM Vaccine Safety Committee again began a review to consider any possible associations between vaccines and the occurrence of autism. The 2004 report, “Vaccines and Autism” states that “the body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism.”
Notes

Does thimerosal in vaccines pose a risk to infants?

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:38:00 +0000

When pregnant women eat foods or take medicines that contain mercury, the mercury can be transferred to the developing fetus through the placenta. Infants can be exposed to mercury through foods, including breast milk, or medicines.

Developing fetuses and young children are believed to be more susceptible to mercury exposure than adults because mercury can interfere with the developing nervous system.

Guidelines for safe exposure to methylmercury, based on the analysis of cases where people were accidentally exposed to toxic levels of mercury, have been developed by three federal agencies1. Although the three agencies’ guidelines are each slightly different, each leaves a large margin for safety, and exposure to amounts that exceed these guidelines does not mean that the individual has been exposed to toxic levels of mercury.

Additionally, it should be noted that, some studies show that ethylmercury (the kind to which thimerosal is metabolized) may be less toxic than methylmercury (the kind that was used in establishing the safety guidelines). However, because little information about ethylmercury has been available until recently, guidelines for thimerosal safety have been based on methylmercury guidelines.

As part of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Modernization Act of 1997, the FDA began compiling a list of the amount and type of mercury in drugs and foods.

Notably, since the last formal FDA review of thimerosal use in biologics in 1976, two important things have changed regarding vaccines: there have been advances in the understanding of the human health effects of low-level exposure to mercury, and there has been an increase in the number of vaccines recommended for routine use in children2.

In their recent review, the FDA found that, depending on which formulation an infant received for each of his or her recommended vaccines, the infant could potentially be exposed on an immunization day to total levels of mercury that would exceed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guideline of 0.1 micrograms of methylmercury per kilogram of infant body weight per day. (See also FDA’s response to a petiton to suspend and revoke all vaccines containing thimerosal for which there is a thimerosal-free replacement available).

This should have posed no risk to the child because the guidelines were established based on exposure to this amount of mercury every day. (See the National Academy of Science’s National Research Council July 2000 review of the EPA guideline.) Nevertheless, this finding led to the request for removal of thimerosal from vaccines and the temporary suspension of the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine until formulations of the vaccine became available that did not contain thimerosal as a preservative.

Many questions are being asked about the potential effect of thimerosal on the developing fetus and infant, in particular on the developing nervous system. To begin, how is thimerosal processed in the bodies of infants?

In one study, scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center tested the blood levels of mercury in 16 full-term infants shortly after the children had received recommended vaccines that contained thimerosal. They found that “none of the blood mercury levels observed in the studied infants exceeded the most recently revised lowest level of maternal blood mercury considered to represent a potentially significant exposure to the developing fetus.”

More research is planned to evaluate if the thimerosal in vaccines poses a risk to children. The study also suggested that unlike the toxin methylmercury, thimerosal is eliminated through stools within two weeks.

What is thimerosal, and why is it in some vaccines?

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:34:00 +0000

Thimerosal is a compound that is 49.6% mercury by weight. Although it is not used in all vaccines (for example, it is not used in measles-mumps-rubella or chickenpox vaccines), it has been part of the manufacture of many vaccines since the 1930s. Thimerosal has been used:

to kill the bacteria that make the vaccine itself (e.g., whole cell pertussis vaccine)
to kill bacteria that might enter the vaccine during the production process (e.g., influenza vaccine)
as a preservative to prevent bacterial and fungal contamination of vaccines during their clinical use. In this case, thimerosal is added at the end of the production process either to the liquid vaccine itself or — in the case of dry powder vaccines — to the liquid used to dilute the vaccine

Unless used as a preservative, thimerosal contributes little to the final concentration of thimerosal in vaccine (at most 2 to 3 micrograms of thimerosal per milliliter of vaccine), so the chief concern has centered on thimerosal as a preservative.

Although preservatives are not required for single-dose vaccine vials, preservatives are required to help prevent bacterial contamination of vaccine vials that contain many doses

Why is this? Most multi-dose vaccines come in vials that are topped with a rubber-like stopper. With vials that contain many doses of vaccine, health care workers repeatedly pass needles through the stopper when drawing up later vaccine doses into the syringe and this can let bacteria enter the vial and contaminate the vaccine.

The experts speak on mercury, vaccines and thimerosal

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:29:00 +0000

Thimerosal is a Mercury compound. Thimerosal is also known as ethyl Mercury. Mercury is a known neuro-toxin. It can cross the placenta and blood brain barrier then, concentrate in the blood and brain. This alone would have made me think twice, had I known. I also found out, the dose given to a forty pound five year old is the same as given to an eight pound two month old. These are known carcinogens and there are no “safe amounts” allowed in the human body. The U.S. Public Health Service and the American Academy of Pediatrics found that some children could be exposed to cumulative levels of Mercury over the first six months of life that exceed federal guidelines. By age two, American children have received 237 micrograms of Mercury though vaccines. This far exceeds the EPA’s current safe level of 1/10th of 1 microgram per kilogram a day. Thirty-five micrograms will kill a rabbit. This amount would be equivalent to injecting a 100lb adult with 40 vaccines in one day.

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Autoimmune Disorders by Stephen B Edelson MD, page 65
In 1999 studies began to surface showing that multi-dose vial vaccines, such as the MMR and hepatitis B vaccines, contained enough thimerosal to expose vaccinated children to 62.5 ug of mercury per visit to the pediatrician. This is one hundred times the dose considered safe by the Federal Environmental Protection Guidelines for infants! Worse yet, some infants will receive doses even higher; because thimerosal tends to settle in the vial. If it is not shaken up before being drawn, the first dose will contain low concentrations of mercury and the last dose will contain enormously high concentrations. If your baby is the unlucky one that gets the last dose, serious brain injury can result…
Health And Nutrition Secrets by Russell L Blaylock MD, page 166

Thousands of families say they can demonstrate with videotapes and photos that their children were normal prior to being vaccinated, reacted badly to the vaccines, and became autistic shortly thereafter. The number of vaccines given before age two has risen from 3 in 1940, when autism occurred in perhaps one case per 10,000 births, to 22 different vaccines given before the age of two in the year 2000.
Building Wellness with DMG by Roger V Kendall PhD, page 104

We know that certain forms of mercury, such as methylmercury and phenylmercury, are highly lipid soluble, which makes the brain especially susceptible to mercury accumulation. These forms of mercury are found in vaccines as the preservative thimerosal. Once in the brain, it tends to attach itself to protein structures, especially to the cell membrane, where it can disrupt membrane functions.23 By binding to the cell membrane, mercury changes the membrane's fluid-like quality, making it stiffer and causing the cell to age faster.24 The brain is unique in that neurons depend on special microscopic tube-like structures within the cell, appropriately called neurotubules, for their function. These neurotubules are manufactured by the cell from a substance called tubulin. We know that mercury interacts with tubulin causing it to unravel. Studies in rats have shown that doses of mercury corresponding to those seen in humans can cause a 75 percent increase in tubulin inhibition.
Health And Nutrition Secrets by Russell L Blaylock MD, page 53

In the case of the susceptible newborn infant and toddler, multiple exposures to mercury-containing and multiple antigen vaccines are highly suspect in the causation of multiple organ injury (Bernard et al. 2000). The GI tract, the liver, the pancreas, the kidneys, the immune system, and the brain are major sites of mercury absorption. Researchers have clearly shown a chronic inflammatory bowel disease due to vaccine strain measles in a subset of children with autism (Thompson et al. 1995; Wakefield et al. 1995, 1999, 2000a,b; Kawashima et al. 2000; Pardi et al. 2000; Uhlmann et al. 2002).
Disease Prevention And Treatment by Life Extension Foundation, page 153

Studies of autistic children have frequently shown very high levels of mercury, with no other source but vaccines found for the exposure. These levels are equal to those seen in adults during toxic industrial exposures. Several autism clinics have found dramatic improvements in the behavior and social interactions in children from whom the mercury was chelated. Results depended on how soon the mercury was removed following exposure, but permanent damage can be caused if the metal is not chelated soon enough. Still, even in cases of severe damage, because of the infant brain's tremendous reparative ability, improvements are possible. The problem of autism involves numerous body systems including the gastrointestinal, immune and nervous systems; as a result we see numerous infections and magnified effects of malnutrition. Intrepid workers in the shadows, that is outside the medial establishment, have worked many miracles with these children using a multidisciplinary scientific approach completely ignored by the orthodoxy. Some children have even experienced a return to complete physiological normalcy.
Health And Nutrition Secrets by Russell L Blaylock MD, page 166

Mercury and autism mercury toxicity is a suspected cause of a steep rise—a tenfold increase between 1984 and 1994—in diagnosed cases of autism in children around the world, according to some scientists. Specifically, the culprit is thimerosal, a mercury-based compound used as a preservative in vaccines commonly administered to babies and infants. thimerosal-free vaccines are available. If you have a child who will be receiving vaccinations, ask for and make sure thimerosal-free vaccines are used. Kelp, with its essential minerals (especially calcium and magnesium), helps remove unwanted metal deposits.
Prescription For Dietary Wellness by Phyllis A Balch, page 198

The pertussis vaccine (DPT) may cause 45,000 cases of autism per year in America, affecting 15 cases out of 10,000 vaccinations; also caused by the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) that causes mental impairment, gastrointestinal damage, and increased mortality in 6-12 months from impaired immunity; 9 out of 10 cases were not breast-fed; eating dairy products caused parasites in the autistic (take Vermex; contact Dr. Nelson in Mexico for control of parasites in children with autism). There are now over 500,000 victims of autism residing in the United States, in 1994. The pertussis vaccination is not used in Sweden, which has virtually 0 cases of autism, as does Holland. This mental illness afflicts environmentally and socially non-reactive persons, ofwithdrawn personality; with inability to speak, violenttantrums, insomnia, actions such as bolting across aroad with no regard for the dire consequences. May be caused infant antibiotic use in ear infections with subsequent yeast overgrowth, by cumulative genetic Brain damage, Vitamin deficiencies, or milk and additives allergies. Immune disorders in autism include white blood cellneutrophil Myeloperoxidase enzyme deficiency for insufficient hypochlorite ions to kill yeast - genetic type from Chromosome 17 mutation or biotinidase deficiency, or acquired type from lead poisoning, Folic acid or B-l 2 deficiency, infection or leukemias…
Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 450

Multiple vaccinations, especially in newborns, are another major source of childhood mercury exposure because of the mercury-containing thimerosal preservative. Over twenty-two vaccinations are now recommended for children before the age of two!
Health And Nutrition Secrets by Russell L Blaylock MD, page 64

In addition, there is some anecdotal evidence that autism may be tied to diet. One theory is that, in very rare cases, a child's immune system could be weakened by the measles-mumps-rubella vaccination (MMR), which is usually administered before a child turns 2. As a result of this weakening, the theory goes, the child's digestive system is unable to break down certain food proteins, leading to abnormal brain development. Proponents of this theory believe that putting the child on a diet that eliminates certain foods, such as wheat and dairy products, could in certain cases reverse the course of the disease. This theory remains speculative, however, and research needs to be done to determine its validity. In fact, a 2001 report issued by an Institute of Medicine committee examining studies about the health effects of the MMR vaccine in young children suggests that there is no proven link between the vaccine and autism. The committee recommends that there be no change in immunization practices that require children to be immunized during early childhood.
The Immune Advantage by Ellen Mazo and Keith Berndtson MD, page 292

Rather than calling for an all-out immediate ban on thimerosal-containing vaccines, they suggested that parents continue to have their children vaccinated with mercury-contaminated vaccines until new stocks of uncontaminated vaccine could be made available. Here are two doctors' unions that had to be beat over the head with an overwhelming amount of data that mercury-contaminated vaccines were harming children far worse than the actual diseases against which the vaccine was intended to protect them, only to have them suggest that parents continue to harm their children just to satisfy their vaccination obsession. Are you surprised to discover that recent investigations have found that several doctor-members of vaccine boards were either receiving grants from vaccine manufacturers or held stock in the companies? They were willing to sacrifice the health of millions of children just to fill their pockets with cash. These people should be looking through bars, not serving on boards.
Health And Nutrition Secrets by Russell L Blaylock MD, page 167

Vaccines may afflict 45,000 cases of autism per year in America, which afflicts 15 victims in every 10.000 births: there are now 5 00,000 of these victims in the U.S. In Sweden not using the pertussis vaccine, there is virtually no autism (and likewise in Holland).
Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 600

Many symptoms of autism are similar to those of mercury poisoning. Immune dysfunction, visual disturbances, and motor dysfunction are seen in both. Treating autistic children for removal of mercury and other heavy metals has shown significant improvement in their autistic symptoms. Most autistic individuals have poor liver detoxification, low antioxidant levels, and low levels of glutathione. Vaccines are effective, but the production and use of vaccines should proceed more cautiously. Currently manufactured vaccines still contain harmful substances like mercury. The link between vaccines and autism is far stronger than the medical community is willing to admit, and more research in this area should be an urgent priority.
Building Wellness with DMG by Roger V Kendall PhD, page 105

Studies indicate that autism may be the result of adverse reactions to childhood vaccinations. Dr. Alan Cohen, an environmental physician from Connecticut, notes that high levels of autism and attention deficit disorder (ADD) did not occur until the mandatory use of childhood vaccinations, and suggests that there may be a connection between certain vaccines and the onset of these conditions.
Complete Encyclopedia Of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 46

Almost from the inception of vaccination programs, manufacturers added a mercury preservative called thimerosal to vaccines. The practice continued until recently, and was stopped only because of the outcry from thousands of concerned parents and numerous experts in the field. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Practice did not warn parents or pediatricians that the mercury was dangerous until they were forced to. That mercury was toxic to cells had been known for over sixty years, but manufacturers apparently were more worried about lawsuits…
Health And Nutrition Secrets by Russell L Blaylock MD, page 165

In fact, a 2001 report issued by an Institute of Medicine committee examining studies about the health effects of the MMR vaccine in young children suggests that there is no proven link between the vaccine and autism. The committee recommends that there be no change in immunization practices that require children to be immunized during early childhood. Another disorder affecting the brain, Alzheimer's disease, may also have an immune connection. Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease that slowly attacks nerve cells in the brain. It eventually results in the loss of all memory and mental functioning. Scientists are currently investigating the role that the immune system plays in producing an overabundance of the amino acid glutamate, a powerful nerve-cell killer. Another immune connection that researchers are investigating is the idea that Alzheimer's might be triggered, in part, by a virus.
The Immune Advantage by Ellen Mazo and Keith Berndtson MD, page 292

In the past 10 years, the number of autistic children has risen between 200 and 500 per cent in every state in the U.S. This sharp increase in autism followed the introduction of MMR vaccine in 1975. Representative Dan Burton's healthy grandson was given injections for 9 diseases in one day. These injections were followed by autism.
A Physicians Guide To Natural Health Products That Work By James Howenstine MD, page 267

"Probably 20% of American children, one in five, suffers from a "development disability'," according to Harris Coulter, Ph.D., Founder and Director of the Center for Empirical Medicine, in Washington, D.C. "This is a stupefying figure and we have inflicted it on ourselves. 'Development disabilities' are nearly always generated by encephalitis. And the primary cause of encephalitis in the U.S. and other industrialized countries is the childhood vaccination program. To be specific, a large proportion of the millions of U.S. children and adults suffering from autism, seizures, mental retardation, hyperactivity, dyslexia, and other branches of the hydra-headed entity called 'development disabilities' owe their disorders to one of the vaccines against childhood diseases."
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 1101

Martin noted that the increased incidence of chronic fatigue syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, and other behavior-linked illnesses "may be an inadvertent consequence of stealth virus vaccine contaminants."
AIDS And Ebola by Leonard Horowitz, page 493

Just for perspective if we go back to 1971 up to 1980, we see that California consistently added 100 to 200 new cases a year; but in the year 2002, California added 3,577 new cases. Since 1980, the documented start of California's autism epidemic, the number of new cases has steadily increased. If we break down those statistics it means that from 1994 to 1995, California only added on average 2 new autistic children a day into its system. In 2001, it was a rate of 8 new autistic children added a day; in 2002, it jumped up to 10 children a day. mercury-containing vaccines are still in use today, including the most recently recommended addition to the childhood immunization schedule, 2 shots of flu vaccine for infants, bringing the total number of vaccines up to 41 in California that a child will receive before the age of two. It will take a few years to start seeing the effect of the phasing out of the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal from childhood vaccines on this autism epidemic. Many symptoms of autism are similar to those of mercury poisoning. Immune dysfunction, visual disturbances, and motor dysfunction are seen in both. Treating autistic children for removal of mercury and other heavy metals has shown significant improvement in their autistic symptoms. Most autistic individuals have poor liver detoxification, low antioxidant levels, and low levels of glutathione.
Building Wellness with DMG by Roger V Kendall PhD, page 105

Since the 1990s, there has been a tenfold or 1000-percent increase in autism, an increase which has been linked by some researchers to the organic mercury preservative commonly found in baby vaccines. A greatly increased incidence of juvenile diabetes has been correlated to specific vaccination sequences and to the number of vaccines given. In some Australian Aboriginal communities, every second child died shortly after vaccination.
The Natural Way to Heal by Walter Last, page 309

The best current estimates are that autism occurs in 40 to 67 children per 10,000 live births. This means that the prevalence of autism has increased 1,000 percent in the last decade. According to the latest figures just released in January 2003 by the California Department of Developmental Services, California experienced an astounding 31 percent increase in the number of new children…
Building Wellness with DMG by Roger V Kendall PhD, page 104

Mercury, Vaccines and Thimerosal

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:22:00 +0000

Thimerosal is the preservative of choice for vaccine manufacturers. First introduced by Eli Lilly and Company in the late 1920s and early 1930s, the company began selling it as a preservative in vaccines in the 1940s. Thimerosal contains 49.6 percent mercury by weight and is metabolized or degraded into ethylmercury and thiosalicylate. Mercury, or more precisely, ethylmercury, is the principle agent that kills contaminants. Unfortunately, mercury also kills much more than that.

The Department of Defense classifies mercury as a hazardous material that could cause death if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Studies indicate that mercury tends to accumulate in the brains of primates and other animals after they are injected with vaccines. Mercury poisoning has been linked to cardiovascular disease, autism, seizures, mental retardation, hyperactivity, dyslexia and many other nervous system conditions. That's why the FDA rigorously limits exposure to mercury in foods and drugs. Some common sources of mercury include dental amalgam fillings, various vaccines and certain fish contaminated by polluted ocean waters.

The toxicity of mercury has never been in question. The real question is precisely how much mercury-laced thimerosal is toxic, and what are the possible consequences for our children at low doses?

Autism affects 500,000 to 1.5 million Americans and has grown at an annual rate of 10 to 17 percent since the late 1980s. California found a 273 percent increase in autism between 1987 and 1998. Maryland reported a 513 percent increase in autism between 1993 and 1998 and several dozen other states reported similar findings. Some scientists say the estimated number of cases of autism has increased 15-fold –1,500 percent – since 1991, when the number of childhood vaccinations doubled. Whereas one in every 2,500 children was diagnosed with autism before 1991, one in 166 children now have the disease.

This increase in reported autism cases eerily parallels the increase in the number and frequency of thimerosal-containing vaccinations administered to infants. As of today, children are given as many as 21 immunizations in the first 15 months of life. After a number of scientists and concerned activists noticed the correlation, an investigation was launched to get to the heart of the matter.

Now all childhood vaccines have at least one mercury-free version, and I urge parents to ask for those versions if they choose to vaccinate their children. Injecting mercury into children, especially infants whose immune systems are still underdeveloped (hepatitis B shots are typically given at birth, before the immune system has developed), can be an assault to the immune system.

Links between autism and thimerosal

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:17:00 +0000

Thimerosal in Vaccines - Questions and Answers

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:11:00 +0000

Thimerosal in Vaccines Questions and Answers

Vaccines are safe?

FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research is responsible for regulating vaccines in the U.S. Before new vaccines are licensed, they are tested extensively for safety in the laboratory, in animals, and in successive stages of human clinical trials called phases. When a new vaccine is first tested in humans, a sponsor (a vaccine manufacturer, academic investigator or other individual or organization) must first submit an Investigational New Drug Application to FDA. If data at any stage of clinical development raise significant concerns regarding the safety of the product, FDA may request additional information or may halt ongoing or planned studies.

Phase 1 studies typically enroll less than 20 participants and are designed to look for very common adverse events. Phase 2 studies may include up to several hundred individuals and are designed to look at the overall safety profile of the vaccine for local reactions such as redness and swelling at the injection site as well as general side effects that may occur with some vaccines such as fever. For phase 3 studies, the sample size is often determined by the number required to establish efficacy of the new vaccine, which may be in the thousands or tens of thousands of subjects. Phase 3 studies are usually of sufficient size to detect less common adverse events, such as those occurring at rates of 1 in 100 to 1 in 1000. For vaccines given concomitantly with other vaccines under the routine immunization schedules, the safety of new vaccines typically is studied with concurrent administration of these other vaccines. In addition, FDA carefully reviews information on the manufacturing process of new vaccines, and testing is performed on individual lots for safety and potency. If product development is successful, the completion of all three phases of clinical development can be followed by submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA).

Following FDA's review of a license application for a new indication, the sponsor and FDA usually present their findings to an expert advisory committee in an open public meeting for comment and advice. The advisory committee provides advice to FDA on approval or disapproval. Vaccine approval also requires the provision of adequate information (labeling) to health care providers and the public on the vaccine's proper use, including its potential benefits and risks, and its indications and contraindications.

The safety of new vaccines continues to be monitored following licensure in several ways. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, co-administered by FDA and CDC, is a national passive surveillance system for the collection of all reports of adverse events following vaccination. As a spontaneous reporting system, VAERS has several limitations including under-reporting, incompleteness of reports, lack of consistent diagnostic criteria, and the inability in most cases to establish a cause and effect relationship.
VAERS is useful, however, for raising "red-flags" and subsequently generating hypotheses that can be tested further in controlled clinical trials or epidemiological studies. As part of a post-licensure commitment, FDA often asks the manufacturer to conduct additional clinical studies (sometimes called phase 4 studies), to further evaluate safety, and to provide this information to FDA in a timely manner. In addition, controlled epidemiological studies may be conducted using pre-established large-linked databases, which have improved ability to evaluate whether rare adverse events are caused by vaccination. One such system is the Vaccine Safety Datalink, administered by the CDC.

What are preservatives and why are they added to vaccines?

Preservatives are compounds that kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi. They are used in vaccines to prevent bacterial or fungal growth in the event that the vaccine is accidentally contaminated, as might occur with repeated puncture of multi-dose vials. Vaccines, both in the United States and throughout other parts of the world, are commonly packaged in multi-dose vials. In some cases, preservatives are added during manufacture to prevent microbial growth; with changes in manufacturing technology, however, the need to add preservatives during the manufacturing process has decreased markedly.

Preservatives have been used in vaccines for over 70 years. The requirement for a preservative in multi-dose, multi-entry vials was placed into the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR 610.15) in January 1968. There are exceptions to this requirement for preservative, primarily involving the live-attenuated viral vaccines.

The general need for preservatives in multi-dose vials has been underscored by cases in which multi-dose vials that did not contain preservatives become contaminated during use and caused fatal infections in vaccine recipients; cf. the Narrative Section on Thimerosal.

What is thimerosal?

Thimerosal is a preservative that has been used in some vaccines since the 1930's, when it was first introduced by Eli Lilly Company. It is 49.6% mercury by weight and is metabolized or degraded into ethylmercury and thiosalicylate. At concentrations found in vaccines, it meets the requirements for a preservative as set forth by the United States Pharmacopeia; that is, it kills the specified challenge organisms and is able to prevent the growth of the challenge fungi. Prior to its introduction in the 1930's, data were available in several animal species and humans providing evidence for its safety and effectiveness as a preservative. Since then, thimerosal has a long record of safe and effective use preventing bacterial and fungal contamination of vaccines, with no ill effects established other than minor local reactions at the site of injection.

As a vaccine preservative, thimerosal is used in concentrations of 0.003% to 0.01%. A vaccine containing 0.01% thimerosal as a preservative contains 50 micrograms of thimerosal per 0.5 ml dose or approximately 25 micrograms of mercury per 0.5 mL dose. The use of mercury-containing preservatives in vaccines has declined markedly since 1999.

FDA is continuing its efforts toward reducing or removing thimerosal from all existing vaccines. Much progress has been made to date. FDA has been actively working with manufacturers, particularly those that manufacture childhood vaccines, to reach the goal of eliminating thimerosal from vaccines, and has been collaborating with other PHS agencies to further evaluate the potential health effects of thimerosal. In this regard, all vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age or younger and marketed in the U.S. contain no thimerosal or only trace amounts (1 microgram or less mercury per dose), with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine, which was first recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in 2004 for routine use in children 6 to 23 months of age.

What has FDA done to address the issue of mercury containing preservatives in vaccines?

Under the FDA Modernization Act (FDAMA) of 1997, FDA carried out a comprehensive review of the use of thimerosal in childhood vaccines. Conducted in 1999, this review found no evidence of harm from the use of thimerosal as a vaccine preservative, other than local hypersensitivity reactions.
As part of the FDAMA review, FDA evaluated the amount of mercury an infant might receive in the form of ethylmercury from vaccines under the U.S. recommended childhood immunization schedule and compared these levels with existing guidelines for exposure to methylmercury, as there are no existing guidelines for ethylmercury, the metabolite of thimerosal. At the time of this review in 1999, the maximum cumulative exposure to mercury from vaccines in the recommended childhood immunization schedule was within acceptable limits for the methylmercury exposure guidelines set by FDA, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the World Health Organization (WHO). However, depending on the vaccine formulations used and the weight of the infant, some infants could have been exposed to cumulative levels of mercury during the first six months of life that exceeded EPA recommended guidelines for safe intake of methylmercury. As a precautionary measure, the Public Health Service (including FDA, National Institutes of Health [NIH], Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] and Health Resources and Services Administration [HRSA]) and the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a Joint Statement, urging vaccine manufacturers to reduce or eliminate thimerosal in vaccines as soon as possible. The U.S. Public Health Service agencies have collaborated with various investigators to initiate further studies to better understand any possible health effects from exposure to thimerosal in vaccines.
Available data has been reviewed in several public forums including the Workshop on Thimerosal, held in Bethesda in August 1999 and sponsored by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, two meetings of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC, held in October 1999 and June 2000, and by the Institute of Medicine's Immunization Safety Review Committee in July 2001 and February 2004. Data reviewed did not demonstrate convincing evidence of toxicity from doses of thimerosal used in vaccines. In case reports of accidental high-dose exposures in humans to thimerosal or ethyl mercury toxicity was demonstrated only at exposures that were 100 or 1000 times that found in vaccines.
In its report of October 1, 2001, the IOM's Immunization Safety Review Committee concluded that the evidence is inadequate to either accept or reject a causal relationship between thimerosal exposure from childhood vaccines and the neurodevelopmental disorders of autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and speech or language delay. At that time the committee's conclusion was based on the fact that there were no published epidemiological studies examining the potential association between thimerosal-containing vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders. The Committee did conclude that the hypothesis that exposure to thimerosal-containing vaccines could be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders was biologically plausible. However, additional studies were needed to establish or reject a causal relationship. The Committee stated that the effort to remove thimerosal from vaccines was "a prudent measure in support of the public health goal to reduce mercury exposure of infants and children as much as possible."

In 2004, the IOM's Immunization Safety Review Committee again examined the hypothesis that vaccines, specifically the MMR vaccines and thimerosal containing vaccines, are causally associated with autism. In this report, the committee incorporated new epidemiological evidence from the U.S., Denmark, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, and studies of biologic mechanisms related to vaccines and autism that had become available since its report in 2001. The committee concluded that this body of evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism, and that hypotheses generated to date concerning a biological mechanism for such causality are theoretical only. Further, the committee stated that the benefits of vaccination are proven and the hypothesis of susceptible populations is presently speculative, and that widespread rejection of vaccines would lead to increases in incidences of serious infectious diseases like measles, whooping cough and Hib bacterial meningitis
FDA is continuing its efforts toward reducing or removing thimerosal from all existing vaccines. Much progress has been made to date. FDA has been actively working with manufacturers, particularly those that manufacture childhood vaccines, to reach the goal of eliminating thimerosal from vaccines, and has been collaborating with other PHS agencies to further evaluate the potential health effects of thimerosal. Since 2001, all vaccines recommended for children 6 years of age and younger have contained either no thimerosal or only trace amounts, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccines, which are marketed in both the preservative-free and thimerosal-preservative-containing formulations. Thimerosal-preservative free influenza vaccine licensed for use in children six to 59 months of age is available in limited supply. Nevertheless, FDA is in discussions with manufacturers of influenza vaccine regarding their capacity to increase the supply of vaccine without thimerosal as a preservative. Additionally, new pediatric vaccines that have received licensure do not contain thimerosal.

Why did FDA wait until mandated by Congress under FDAMA 1997 to examine the use of preservatives containing mercury?

Several factors led to examination of mercury-containing preservatives in childhood vaccines. Over the past decade there has been increased attention focused on the health effects of human exposure to mercury, particularly methyl mercury. In 1994, the EPA revised its Reference Dose (RfD) for methylmercury exposure, lowering its guideline for safe exposure from 0.3 to 0.1 microgram per kilogram body weight per day. Prospective studies (in the Seychelles, Faroe Islands and others) of the effects of low dose exposure to methylmercury in the diet were published , and some of these studies raised concern that neurodevelopmental outcomes in children may be subtly affected when their mothers were exposed to methylmercury from dietary sources at levels that were previously thought to be safe. Also in the 1990's, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and other recommending bodies added new vaccines (e.g., hepatitis B, Hib), some of which contained thimerosal as a preservative, to the routine childhood immunization schedule. Additionally, beginning in 1996, the replacement of whole cell DTP-Hib combination vaccines with separately administered DTaP and Hib vaccines increased the amount of thimerosal that some infants might have received (depending on vaccine formulation(s) received). In light of efforts by various federal agencies to decrease human exposure to mercury from various sources, and the potential increase in infant exposure to thimerosal from vaccines, FDA undertook review of this issue.
Thus, while enactment of FDAMA 1997 provided an official mechanism for review of this issue, the use of thimerosal as a preservative in vaccines had already begun to be considered by FDA. During the past ten years, FDA has provided informal and formal advice to manufacturers recommending that new vaccines under development be formulated without thimerosal as a preservative.

FDA had previously reviewed thimerosal use in biological products, including vaccines, in 1976. This review evaluated exposure to thimerosal from biological products using the 1974 American Academy of Pediatrics "Red Book" immunization schedule and concluded that, with the exception of long term immune globulin replacement therapy, "no dangerous quantity of mercury is likely to be received from biologic products in a lifetime." Of note, immune globulin products licensed in the U.S. no longer use thimerosal as a preservative.

What progress has been made towards the goal of eliminating thimerosal from vaccines?

Great progress has been made in removing thimerosal from vaccines. Manufacturers have been able to accomplish this goal through changing their manufacturing processes, including a switch from multi-dose vials, which generally require a preservative, to single-dose vials or syringes. Since 2001, all vaccines manufactured for the U.S. market and routinely recommended for children ≤ 6 years of age have contained no thimerosal or only trace amounts (≤ 1 microgram of mercury per dose remaining from the manufacturing process), with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine. In addition, all of the routinely recommended vaccines that had been previously manufactured with thimerosal as a preservative (some formulations of DTaP, Haemophilus influenzae b conjugate (Hib), and hepatitis B vaccines) had reached the end of their shelf life by January 2003.

In the past, prior to the initiative to reduce or eliminate thimerosal from childhood vaccines, the maximum cumulative exposure to mercury via routine childhood vaccinations during the first six months of life was 187.5 micrograms. With the introduction of thimerosal-preservative-free formulations of DTaP, hepatitis B, and Hib, the maximum cumulative exposure from these vaccines decreased to less than three micrograms of mercury in the first 6 months of life. With the addition of influenza vaccine to the recommended vaccines, an infant could receive a thimerosal-containing influenza vaccine at 6 and 7 months of age. This would result in a maximum exposure or 28 micrograms via routine childhood vaccinations. This level is well below the EPA calculated exposure guideline for methylmercury of 65 micrograms for a child in the 5th percentile body weight during the first 6 months of life.

Currently, all hepatitis vaccines manufactured for the U.S. market contain either no thimerosal or only trace amounts. Also, DT, Td, and Tetanus Toxoid vaccines are now available in formulations that contain no thimerosal or only trace amounts

Furthermore, all new vaccines licensed since 1999 are free of thimerosal as a preservative. Inactivated influenza vaccine was added to the routinely recommended vaccines for children 6 to 23 months of age in 2004. FDA has approved thimerosal–preservative free formulations (containing either no or only trace amounts of thimerosal) for the inactivated influenza vaccines manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur and Chiron. These influenza vaccines continue to be marketed in both the preservative free and thimerosal-preservative containing formulations. In addition, in August 2005, FDA licensed GlaxoSmithKline's inactivated influenza vaccine, which contains 1.25 micrograms mercury per dose. Of the three licensed inactivated influenza vaccines, Sanofi Pasteur's Fluzone is the only one approved for use in children down to 6 months of age. Chiron's Fluvirin is approved for individuals 4 years of age and older, and GSK's Fluarix is approved for individuals 18 years of age and older. The live attenuated influenza vaccine (FluMist, manufactured by MedImmune), which contains no thimerosal, is approved for individuals 5 to 49 years of age. For the 2005-2006 season, Sanofi Pasteur was able to manufacture up to 8 million doses of thimerosal-preservative free influenza vaccine. Based on an estimated annual birth cohort in the United States of 4 million, there are 6 million infants and children between the ages of 6 and 23 months, most of whom would need two doses each. Thus, the amount of thimerosal-preservative-free vaccine that is available based on current manufacturing capacity is well below the number of doses needed to fully vaccinate this age group. FDA is in discussions with manufacturers of influenza vaccine regarding their capacity to further increase the supply of preservative-free formulations.

Why are some vaccines noted to be "thimerosal-free" while some are "thimerosal-reduced"? What is the difference between "thimerosal-free" and "preservative-free"?

Thimerosal may be added at the end of the manufacturing process to act as a preservative to prevent bacterial or fungal growth in the event that the vaccine is accidentally contaminated, as might occur with repeated puncture of multi-dose vials. When thimerosal is used as preservative in vaccines, it is present in concentrations up to 0.01% (50 micrograms thimerosal per 0.5 mL dose or 25 micrograms mercury per 0.5 mL dose). In some cases, thimerosal is used during the manufacturing process and is present in small amounts in the final vaccine (1 micrograms mercury or less per dose).

The term "preservative-free" indicates that no preservative (thimerosal or otherwise) is used in the vaccine; however, traces used during the manufacturing process may be present in the final formulation. For example, some vaccines may be preservative-free but may contain traces of thimerosal (1 micrograms mercury or less per dose); in such settings, this information is noted in the package insert. Similarly, the term "thimerosal-reduced" usually indicates that thimerosal is not added as a vaccine preservative, but trace amounts (1 micrograms mercury per dose or less) may remain from use in the manufacturing process. Such trace amounts are not felt to be clinically significant, nor would they result in exposure exceeding any federal guideline for mercury exposure. Vaccines may be termed "thimerosal-free" if no thimerosal can be measured; i.e., thimerosal content is below the limit of detection.

Why is exposure to mercury a concern?

Mercury is an element that is dispersed widely around the earth. Most of the mercury in the water, soil, plants and animals is found as inorganic mercury salts. Mercury accumulates in the aquatic food chain, primarily in the form of the methylmercury, an organomercurial. Methylmercury is more easily absorbed and is less readily eliminated from the body than inorganic mercury. Exposure to one chemical with mercury, i.e., methylmercury, has been shown to pose a variety of health risks to humans. Extremely high levels, such as that observed in poisoning episodes in Japan and Iraq has caused neurological damage and death. The fetus is considered more sensitive to health effects of methylmercury than adults. In recent years some studies have found adverse health effects of methylmercury at levels previously thought to be safe. Other studies, however, have shown conflicting results.

It is important to note that the preservative thimerosal contains ethylmercury, a related though distinct chemical from methylmercury. Moreover, recent studies in animal models exposed to thimerosal containing vaccines or oral methylmercury suggest that methylmercury may not be a suitable reference to assess the risk from exposure to thimerosal (Burbacher et al, 2005). In addition, data from studies in human infants that were given routine immunizations with thimerosal-containing vaccines showed that mercury levels in blood and urine were uniformly below safety guidelines for methyl mercury and that unlike methylmercury excretory profiles, infants excreted significant amounts of mercury in stool after thimerosal (ethylmercury) exposure, thus removing mercury from their bodies (Pichichero ME, et al, 2002).

I understand that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has reviewed the issue of thimerosal in vaccines. What were the IOM's findings?

In its report of October 1, 2001, the IOM's Immunization Safety Review Committee concluded that the evidence is inadequate to either accept or reject a causal relationship between thimerosal exposure from childhood vaccines and the neurodevelopmental disorders of autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and speech or language delay. At that time the committee's conclusion was based on the fact that there were no published epidemiological studies examining the potential association between thimerosal containing vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders. The Committee did conclude that the hypothesis that exposure to thimerosal-containing vaccines could be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders was biologically plausible. However, additional studies were needed to establish or reject a causal relationship.

The Committee believed that the effort to remove thimerosal from vaccines was "a prudent measure in support of the public health goal to reduce mercury exposure of infants and children as much as possible." Furthermore, in this regard, the Committee urged that "full consideration be given to removing thimerosal from any biological product to which infants, children, and pregnant women are exposed."

In 2004, the IOM's Immunization Safety Review Committee again examined the hypothesis that vaccines, specifically the MMR vaccines and thimerosal containing vaccines, are causally associated with autism. In this report, the committee incorporated new epidemiological evidence from the U.S., Denmark, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, and studies of biologic mechanisms related to vaccines and autism that had become available since its report in 2001. The committee concluded that this body of evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism, and that hypotheses generated to date concerning a biological mechanism for such causality are theoretical only. Further, the committee stated that the benefits of vaccination are proven and the hypothesis of susceptible populations is presently speculative, and that widespread rejection of vaccines would lead to increases in incidences of serious infectious diseases like measles, whooping cough and Hib bacterial meningitis.

The IOM urged that "full consideration be given to removing thimerosal from any biological product to which infants, children, and pregnant women are exposed" (IOM 2001). Routine administration of influenza vaccine is recommended in pregnant women, yet currently available U.S. licensed influenza vaccines contain thimerosal. Why are pregnant women receiving influenza vaccine containing thimerosal?

This issue was reviewed by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in 1999 and again in 2001. At that time, the ACIP recommended no changes in the influenza vaccination guidelines, including those for children and pregnant women. The ACIP stated that "because pregnant women are at increased risk for influenza complications and because a substantial safety margin has been incorporated into health guidance values for organic mercury exposure, the benefit of influenza vaccine outweighs the potential risks for thimerosal". Furthermore, in its most recent recommendation regarding prevention and control of influenza the ACIP stated "The risks for severe illness from influenza infection are elevated among both young children and pregnant women, and both groups benefit from vaccination by preventing illness and death from influenza. In contrast, no scientifically conclusive evidence exists of harm from exposure to thimerosal preservative-containing vaccine, whereas evidence is accumulating of lack of any harm resulting from exposure to such vaccines. Therefore, the benefits of influenza vaccination outweigh the theoretical risk, if any, for thimerosal exposure through vaccination" (MMWR 54 [RR08]: 1-40, 2005). Nonetheless, FDA is in discussions with manufacturers of influenza vaccine encouraging them to further increase the supply of preservative-free formulations.

Is it safe for children to receive an influenza vaccine that contains thimerosal?

Yes. There is no convincing evidence of harm caused by the small doses of thimerosal preservative in influenza vaccines, except for minor effects like swelling and redness at the injection site.

Recent research suggests that healthy children under the age of 2 are more likely than older children and as likely as people over the age of 65 to be hospitalized with flu complications. Therefore, vaccination with thimerosal-preservative containing influenza vaccine and thimerosal-reduced influenza vaccine is encouraged when feasible in children, including those that are 6-23 months of age.

Is it safe for pregnant women to receive an influenza vaccine that contains thimerosal?

Yes. A study of influenza vaccination examining over 2,000 pregnant women demonstrated no adverse fetal effects associated with influenza vaccine. Case reports and limited studies indicate that pregnancy can increase the risk for serious medical complications of influenza. One study found that out of every 10,000 women in their third trimester of pregnancy during an average flu season, 25 will be hospitalized for flu related complications.

Additionally, influenza-associated excess deaths among pregnant women have been documented during influenza pandemics. Because pregnant women are at increased risk for influenza-related complications and because a substantial safety margin has been incorporated into the health guidance values for organic mercury exposure, the benefits of thimerosal–reduced influenza vaccine or thimerosal-preservative containing influenza vaccine outweighs the theoretical risk, if any, of thimerosal.

You have said that thimerosal is no longer used as a preservative in vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years or less of age, with the exception of influenza vaccine. What is being done about the thimerosal content of other vaccines and other biological products given to infants, children, and pregnant women?

FDA is continuing its efforts to reduce the exposure of infants, children, and pregnant women to mercury from vaccines. FDA is in discussions with manufacturers of influenza vaccine regarding their capacity to further increase the supply of preservative-free formulations. Of note, all hepatitis B vaccines for the U.S., including for adults, are now available only as thimerosal-free or thimerosal-reduced containing formulations.
Tetanus and Diphtheria toxoids (Td) which is indicated for children 7 years of age or older and adults, is now also available in thimerosal-free formulations. In addition, all vaccines licensed since 1999 with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine have not contained thimerosal as a preservative. Also, all immune globulin preparations including hepatitis B immune globulin, and Rho(D) immune globulin preparations are manufactured without thimerosal.

Bibliography

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Bakir F, Damlugi SF, Amin-Zaki L, Murtadha M, Khalidi A, Al-Rawi NY, Tikriti S, Dhahir HI, Clarkson TW, Smith JC, Doherty RA. Methylmercury poisoning in Iraq. Science 1973;181:230-241.
Ball LK, Ball R, Pratt RD. An assessment of thimerosal use in childhood vaccines. Pediatrics 2001;1147-1154.
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Burbacher T.M., Shen D.D., Liberato, N., Grant, K.S., Cernichiari, E. and Clarkson, T. Comparison of blood and brain mercury levels in infant monkeys exposed to methylmercury or vaccines containing thimerosal. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2005; doi:10.1289/ehp.7712
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notice to Readers: Thimerosal in Vaccines: A Joint Statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Public Health Service. Morb Mort Wkly Rep 1999;48:563-565.
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Davidson PW, Myers GJ, Cox C, Axtell C, Shamlaye C, Sloan-Reeves J, Cernichiari E, Needham L, Choi A, Wang Y, Berlin M, Clarkson TW. Effects of prenatal and postnatal methylmercury exposure from fish consumption on neurodevelopment: Outcomes at 66 months of age in the Seychelles child development study. JAMA 1998;280:701-707.
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IOM ( Institute of Medicine). Immunization Safety Review: Vaccines and Autism. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 2004
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Moller H. All these positive tests to thimerosal. Contact Dermatitis 1994; 31:209-213.
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Pichichero , M.E. , Cernichiari, E., Lopreiato, J., Treanor, J., "Mercury concentrations and metabolism in infants receiving vaccines containing thimerosal: A descriptive study," Lancet;360(9347):1737-1741, 2002
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FREE Autism eBook Download

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:49:00 +0000

Do you have an autistic child or know someone who has autism? Do you understand the special needs of an autistic person? Sometimes it is hard to understand that an autistic child is trapped within themselves without the ability to communicate or socially interact with others. While there is no cause or cure yet, autism can be treated and according to the level of severity, many adult autistic people can enjoy a rich, fulfilling life.

To most people autism is a mystery. Over the past 20 years cases of autism has jumped an amazing 172%. Ninety people out of every ten thousand born this year will be diagnosed with autism. Where did this strange disorder come from and why is it affecting more and more of our children each year? Parents and doctors have pondered this question for decades and very few details are sorted out. How do you teach an autistic child?

How do parents cope with a lifetime of caring and nurturing an autistic child? You can scan a thousand websites and read hundreds of books and most people will still not have a completer understanding of autism and how it affects the child ...

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Well there is a one stop, tell all source that will give you the facts about autism and clear up all the c0nfusion and miscommunications that has plagued the internet and other resource venues. You can learn about autism, what research is being done, how to care for and educate an autistic child and much more...

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Copyright © Anne-Marie Ronsen - All Rights Reserved

You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author bylines are included.

AUTISM - CHOOSING THE RIGHT DIET

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:44:00 +0000

- Learn the real facts about Autism.

The world of an autistic child will be explained in such a way that you will be armed with new knowledge to help you better understand what is going on in their head and how their disability can affect them and the world around them

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Copyright © Anne-Marie Ronsen - All Rights Reserved

You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, in your ebook or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author bylines are included.

Frustration vs. Attention - Dealing With Bad Behavior

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:22:00 +0000

The theory of frustration and attention has been the sole thinking for quite some time. Recently, however, studies have shown that self-injury can have a biochemical component that relieves some of the pain and frustration one feels by releasing endorphins, or "happy hormones," into one's system. The endorphins also provide a release for the autistic child, allowing him or her to temporarily forget about his or her frustration and pain. Furthermore, it is believed that if one practices self-injury enough, the endorphins will begin to help mask any pain associated with such behavior, making it an addictive action.

An autistic child's frustration goes hand-in-hand with wanting attention. For instance, by scratching oneself until one bleeds, the autistic child will immediately get someone's attention, and this person will work to understand what the child wants or needs.

While some professionals say that ignoring the autistic child's self-injurious behavior is an acceptable method of treating such practice, this can obviously be very difficult. Others have suggested that communication therapy and drugs may help an autistic child by providing him or her with another method of communication. There are drugs that will help stem the addictive behavior of releasing endorphins into the system, and thus help stop such behavior. There are also nutritional solutions available; vitamin B6 and calcium have been said to help many families with an autistic child.

Self-discipline is a skill that most autistic children have trouble acquiring. This includes not only inappropriate outbursts, but also habits that can be potentially dangerous, such as being aggressive towards others or causing harm to themselves, such as banging their heads off walls. To prevent these and other behaviors, one technique parents and educators can use to control autistic tendencies is self-management. Giving the child power over him- or herself is often the key to keeping control over violent situations and may be a positive step towards learning other behaviors as well.

Self-management works because the child is no longer fully controlled by others. By teaching self-management during specific times of day, such as while the child is at school or therapy, the child will be more likely to continue to practicing self-control during all times of the day. The key is to implement a program in which he or she monitors his or her own behavior and activities. Begin with short amounts of time, and continue to monitor the child from a more passive standpoint. Every ten to fifteen minutes remind the child that he or she is in control and needs to monitor and be aware of good and bad behavior.

This monitoring is a form of self-evaluation. When a child is in control, he or she may think more closely about behavior in the past and present. Set clear goals with the child-for example, an afternoon with no aggression towards others or a day at school with no self-injury. Every fifteen minutes ask the child how he or she is doing. Is the goal being met? If the answer is no, perhaps the child is not ready for self-management, or perhaps the goals are too unattainable. You want to make sure that the goals are easy to reach at first, and then move the child towards more difficult goals in the future. When a child is successful at self-monitoring, he or she will have a more positive attitude towards the experience.

It is most important to note that not all autistic people are the same. Other diseases and disorders have their own sets of rules, but autism is such a complex medical condition, that everyone reacts differently to it. Autistic people are usually rated on a functional scale, with high-functioning people being able to hold jobs and low-functioning people needing 24-hour-a-day care. Symptoms include behavioral challenges, uncontrollable movements, speech and communication difficulties, and emotional inadequacies. Some show all symptoms, while other show few, and still others may have most under control to the point where you cannot tell they have autism at all.

Because every person is different, no one thing can be said about autism and be true overall. However, most autistic people have trouble communicating emotions. This does not mean that an autistic person does not feel. He or she simply cannot express this feeling. It also does not mean strong relationship bonds are not possible. On the contrary, many autistic people are happily married and in love. Forming relationships is more difficult for most, but can be accomplished over time.

Many people believe that being autistic coincides with being a genius in some aspect. While it is true that some autistic individuals have extraordinary math, music, and art skills, this number is nowhere near the majority-in fact, relatively few autistic people function outside of the normal range in any skill. This stereotype is perpetuated in the movies and on television, because the story of a talented person fighting disadvantages (such as autism) makes a good plot. However, this is not the norm, so nothing more than the best they can personally do should be expected from an autistic person. However, it is important to note that autism is not a form of mental retardation. Some autistic people are mentally retarded as well, but most are not and should not be treated as such.

Of course, an important part of self-management is a rewards system. Have the child come up with his or her own reward, depending on interest. Reinforcement will make these good behavior goals more clearly marked in the child's mind, and by choosing and rewarding him- or herself, the child will feel completely in control of the self-management system. Choose simple rewards to start, such as smiley faces for every goal met and sad faces for every goal not met, and work up to a larger goal, such as a special activity or new toy when a certain amount of smiley faces has been attained.

These types of programs do not develop overnight, so it is important that you and the child have enough time to devote to a self-management experience. By reinforcing good behavior with rewards, as determined by the child instead of by an adult, he or she will be more likely to carry this on even when not participating in the program. If your autistic child is mature enough, this could be a good treatment program to try.

For the family members involved, communication training to learn how to communicate with an autistic child is also extremely important. Because normal adults, and even children and teenagers, are so accustomed to communicating through easily recognizable words or body language, they have to learn that communicating with an autistic child requires a completely different process. By looking for solutions for both the family and the autistic child involved in self-injurious behavior, one may be able to overcome this distressing practice.

More Information HERE:

In the end, the most important lesson to take away from your studies on autism is one of tolerance. You will probably need to be patient when dealing with autistic people, but by understanding a little more about the disorder, perhaps this will be easier. Learn what you can and spread the knowledge to those you know to help create a more tolerant setting for autistic individuals in your community.

The Complete Guide to Finally Understanding Autism is HERE: http://bit.ly/gyae8z

Finally a one of a kind guide that answers all the questions the parent or a teacher of an autistic child would have. Filled with informative literature the reader will get the real facts about autism and learn how to cope with the stress of raising and teaching an autistic child. You will learn what autism is and you will learn how to deal with the problems associated with it.

http://bit.ly/gyae8z

You will learn the real facts about Autism. You will learn about treatment and educational options that work at reducing the symptoms of Autism.

***********************

Anne-Marie Ronsen is the author of many wealth and self development books. Download FREE e-books from http://www.e-bestsellers.com, http://www.plrbestsellers.com or http://www.universalpublishingltd.com...You will learn about the best tips and recommendations to improve your health, weight and wealth. You'll also discover FREE Premium content at http://www.ibestof.com/

***********************

Copyright © Anne-Marie Ronsen - All Rights Reserved

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Teaching Your Autist Child Money Management

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:20:00 +0000

Kids today are bombarded with advertising, and keep up peer pressure; and this is why money management and financial skills are must subject matter for parents to continually cover with their kids throughout their childhood and teen years.

Children have vast amounts of purchasing power (billions) either directly or indirectly. Yet, even with all this influence and direct purchasing power, children are rarely taught about money and more importantly the managing of money.

Of course, the generation gap combined with the technology age in which kids now live in had a big part in my lack of focus on this subject. But no more. If for no other reason, you should think for a moment how money is so rapidly transferred today; with just the swipe of a card. And in fact, many people (parents) today hardly ever come in contact with actual paper money anymore.

Here are a number of ways to teach children about money, so they don't end up having problems in the future.

- Introduce them to money
When they are young enough to count, take an active role in teaching them about currency, such as pennies, nickels, dime and quarters, as well as dollar bills. Have them do simple math including adding and subtracting. When they get older, you can introduce new concepts and issues.

- Teach by example
Teaching your children about money becomes a much easier task when you have learned the lessons you are teaching. Children are smart and they know when a parent is a good example. When you're armed with knowledge, you're better able to teach your children.

- Give them an allowance
Yes, that means give them some money. Even if it's a few dollars a week, let them take control of their own money and make their own decisions about what they want to do with it. A good example of how much to give them would be a dollar for their age. Hopefully, if you have taught them, first by example, and then with the knowledge you have gained, they will think twice on how to spend it, or even if they want to. They may decide to put some away for a rainy day or they may blow it the first chance they get.

- Use cash
Children don't understand what you're doing when you're paying and if you use credit cards a lot, your child might get the impression that the magic plastic can buy all the toys in the world. Therefore it is important that the child sees and feels the money so that it can comprehend that money is exchanged for products and services. Try to pay in cash as often as practicable, and show banknotes and coins to your child.

It is important that you show your child that you have the last word in the spending of money, so instead of "We can't afford it" say "We choose to buy this toy next month, because we haven't planned for it this month." Of course you are the parent and make the final decisions, but the more you can involve them in the money processes of your household the better off they'll be when they step into the real world on their own.

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The Complete Guide to Finally Understanding Autism is HERE:

http://bit.ly/gyae8z (FREE autism book download)

Finally a one of a kind guide that answers all the questions the parent or a teacher of an autistic child would have. Filled with informative literature the reader will get the real facts about autism and learn how to cope with the stress of raising and teaching an autistic child. You will learn what autism is and you will learn how to deal with the problems associated with it.

http://bit.ly/gyae8z

You will learn the real facts about Autism. You will learn about treatment and educational options that work at reducing the symptoms of Autism.

Parenting Autism, Autism Children, Training Autism

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:07:00 +0000

Parents with autistic child always struggle their ways to care and teach their children. Some may use the right method while some are lax and simply give up. To children with autism, discipline is hard to be implemented but this does not mean it is not important. When it comes to disciplining your autistic child, there are three strong points to remember, be positive, timely and consistent.

Positive methods are strongly recommended when teaching children with autism. This simply means good behaviors should be rewarded and negative ones should be simply ignored. When your child behave badly, it is important for parents to find out why. The child may want to express his or her stress and frustration. When parents observe such situation, the child must be removed from the situation immediately as autistic children have the tendencies to hurt themselves.

Disciplining your autistic child should be consistent; both parents must have similar philosophy and teaching methods. Punishment should also be consistent as this will not confuse the child. If one parent is more lax than the other, the child will get his way and the teaching have to begin all over again.

Timing is the last but not least method. If the child makes offense, he should be punished immediately using the same method as your spouse. You should not wait for your spouse to get home as the child might forget his mistake and get confused for being punished for other reasons. If the child repeats the same offense, he should be punished the same way as before. This gives the child a clear message that what will happen if he repeats the mistake.

Parenting for children with autism is taxing. Avoid yelling and screaming at your child as stress will ignite your child negative behavior. Always remember that special child require special care and teaching methods.

Author Description :

If you have difficulties in parenting your child with autism, refer to Parenting Autism

##########################

The Complete Guide to Finally Understanding Autism is HERE:

http://bit.ly/gyae8z (FREE autism book download)

Finally a one of a kind guide that answers all the questions the parent or a teacher of an autistic child would have. Filled with informative literature the reader will get the real facts about autism and learn how to cope with the stress of raising and teaching an autistic child. You will learn what autism is and you will learn how to deal with the problems associated with it.

http://bit.ly/gyae8z

You will learn the real facts about Autism. You will learn about treatment and educational options that work at reducing the symptoms of Autism.

10 Great Toys For An Autistic Child

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:04:00 +0000

Have you considered a toy for autistic child? Regardless if a child has autism, another disability or not, all children love toys. Of course, no child is alike. Therefore, what may be enjoyed by one child may not hold the interest of another. Thus, the trick is to figure out which toys your autistic child will enjoy playing with, and will help them develop skills.

The following are 10 great toys for autistic children. The first 5 are suggestions are for children age 3-7 and the second 5 are for children age 8 – 12. Following each basic toy description is examples of where you can find them -

Ages 3-7
1. Paints and/or coloring pencils with large paper – This is a great way for an autistic child to express him/herself in color. Knowing what colors your child responds to may be helpful when it comes to learning. Check Toys R’ Us, Sears, or Wal-Mart.

2. Building blocks – any toy for autistic child that can be stacked helps them improve their motor skills. Great toys to consider include “Lego”, alphabet blocks, colored shapes, etc. Check Toys R’ Us, Sears, or Wal-Mart

3. Stories with Repetition and/or Rhyme –These books help in the development of speech skills. Good book examples you can consider include “Dr. Seuss” and “Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes”. Book stores, online at http://Amazon.com, or your local library.

4. Mix and Match toys – Toys that involve sorting and grouping together matching numbers, colors, shapes, etc. help improve cognitive skills. One interesting toy for autistic child is “Match & Spell 3 – Letter Word”. This game teaches a child how to spell basic words by putting together matching colored cards that create a picture of the word. This game can be found online at the autism toy store stars4kidz.

5. Toys that light up – Toys such as the “flashing molecule ball” are good for visual stimulation. When the ball is squeezed, the colorful balls light up and flash. Check for it at Toys R’ Us.

Ages 8 – 12
1. “Calculator Cash Register” – This is a perfect pretend toy for autistic child. This particular toy comes with a working calculator, pretend money (bills, coins and credit cards). This toy encourages creativity and math skills. Check online at http://Stars4kidz.com or local toy stores.

2. Musical toy instrument – If your child has an interest in music, consider getting a toy instrument such as drums, guitar, recorder or piano with sheet music. These toys teach cognitive, motor, creative and sensory skills. Check local toy stores, Toys R’ Us or Wal-Mart

3. Picture books - Picture books such as “I Spy” are great ways to engage your child’s imagination. “I Spy” has a collection of picture riddle books based on different themes. Check your local bookstore, online at Amazon, or your local library.

4. Classic board games –There are many classic board games to choose from including “KerPlunk”, “Scrabble Jr.”, “Monopoly Jr.”, “Trouble”, “Yahtzee”, etc. Board games can be a toy for autistic child that helps to improve social skills, and depending on the game, may help to develop cognitive and motor skills. Check Toys R’ Us, Wal-Mart and Sears.

5. “Stretch-Eze” – This is a unique sensory toy that is ideal for stretching, exercise, and making creative movements. The “Stretch-Eze” is a stretchy circular band that comes in different sizes and colors. Look for it at online at Stars4kidz.

Keep in mind that the toys listed above are only toy for autistic child suggestions. You don’t need to base the toys you give your child on their age. In fact, many parents of autistic children find that any toy is acceptable if their child responds to it regardless of the age specifications on the box. Note: The only exception is choking hazard age warning.

Author Description : By Rachel Evans. To find out more about autism toys and for information on toys for autistic child please visit the links.

##########################

The Complete Guide to Finally Understanding Autism is HERE:

http://bit.ly/gyae8z (FREE autism book download)

Finally a one of a kind guide that answers all the questions the parent or a teacher of an autistic child would have. Filled with informative literature the reader will get the real facts about autism and learn how to cope with the stress of raising and teaching an autistic child. You will learn what autism is and you will learn how to deal with the problems associated with it.

http://bit.ly/gyae8z

You will learn the real facts about Autism. You will learn about treatment and educational options that work at reducing the symptoms of Autism.

How To Understand The Autistic Child

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:02:00 +0000

The research and data compiled by leading institutions have shown that autism, or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1 in 165 children in America. Based on those numbers, that would indicate that an alarming 1.5 million Americans have autism to various degrees. It should be noted that many of these cases of autism have not been diagnosed. The annual growth rate of autism is greater than 14%, meaning it has become a major developmental disability for todays children.

The instance of autism is not relegated to just children, nor does it seem to afflict any particular person based on race or social structure. It also does not appear to be a result of any injury or accident that may have involved trauma. One thing that is known, however, is that males are about 4 times more likely to have autism than females.

In order to properly understand autism, also known as autistic spectrum disorder or ASD, we need to first begin with a definition of what autism is, as well as what it is not. Autism is one of several cognitive disorders that have a detrimental effect on the developmental or learning ability of the afflicted individual. Autism can be detected as early as age 2 or 3 in most children, and is thought to be a neurological disorder that plays varying degrees of havoc with how the brain interprets different information. The most common signs seen are that autism causes difficulty with the childs communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal. In other words, from the non-verbal standpoint, the afflicted child typically has problems with social interactions with other children, their peers, and even their parents.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder or ASD is crucial to be diagnosed as early as possible in the childs life, especially when you consider that there are varying degrees of autism, ranging from very mild to severe. If the presence of autism is diagnosed early, the parents of the child can make arrangements to allow the child to benefit from professionals at school, perhaps even a specialized school, where the teachers have received training in autism and understanding how to teach the autistic child.

One of the common myths about autism is that children afflicted with this disorder are lacking in intelligence. This is not necessarily the case, and in fact in terms of intelligence, the autistic child can rank right up there with their peers. The movie Rain Man with Dustin Hoffman illustrated this, where Dustin Hoffman played an autistic adult with many social interaction problems, but yet was a genius in the casino and with numbers in general.

People who are afflicted with autism display many traits that, when combined, may indicate the presence of autism to a certain degree. But since there are no definitive laboratory tests that can confirm the presence or absence of autism, it is important to watch for these traits when the child is still at a very young age. Those traits include severe resistance to change, difficulty in verbal communications, difficulty or lack of desire to have social interactions, difficulty in making eye contact, a low threshold for pain, and being obsessively fixated on a particular object.

It is critical to get a child suspected of being autistic diagnosed as early as possible so that an effective course of treatment can be started.

Author Description : Jon is a computer engineer who maintains web sites on a variety of topics based on his knowledge and experience. You can read more about Autism and Autistic Spectrum Disorder at his web site Autism Explained.

Autistic Adults - Why We Should Worry

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

My friend's son has autism.

He never sleeps or at least not for any length of time and she is exhausted.

Over the years sleep deprivation has been a real problem and the only time she gets any rest is when he goes to respite care. Even then she admits to spending the whole of her waking hours thinking and worrying about him.

Quality time is something neither she nor any of the other family members get to enjoy and the strain is beginning to show.

However, she is according to the latest reports, one of the lucky ones. It seems that two thirds of families with members who have special needs get no help at all and that 8 out of 10 of them are at breaking point.

Unless you are in such a situation you cannot appreciate the difference just a few hours of being able to lead a normal "ordinary" life can mean. It's often the only thing that keeps families going - the difference between them being able to cope or not.

Unfortunately, however, the money and support pot is only so large and as situations change so do services. Just as they can be given, equally they can be taken away and anyone who receives respite lives in the shadow of regular assessments and reviews.

Part of you wants your child to improve and the other half doesn't because you know you risk losing what little help you may get.

In an ideal world there would be help for everyone who needs it but there isn't and unless you can build up your own support network many families struggle.

My friend's son can legally leave school this summer. He wants to go on to college with an autistic unit and do a Life Skills course. He can and most probably will do so with support. He'll also be entitled to transport there and back.

However, once he reaches nineteen everything will change.

My friend has worked incredibly hard to get her son where he is today. If you knew him as a toddler you would never have believed he'd achieve so much. His bad behaviour is under control although he can still say some hurtful things and in school he achieves Level 2 in all his lessons. This is, infact the level one would expect from primary school children but never the less it is a great achievement and proves he can learn when he is taught.

Outside of school he is inept in many areas and couldn't possibly be left on his own. He needs to be in a supported environment with people who understand his needs and are prepared to make allowances for him. That's the problem.

Through the years of determined effort his disability is now termed "higher functioning autism" and my friend has been told as her son no longer has severe behavioural problems or a severe learning disability it is unlikely he will receive any funded support once he leaves college.

What's she supposed to do?

Autism is on the increase and all these autistic children will grow up into autistic adults. They'll all have to leave school eventually so where will they go and what will they do? Apparently only 2% actually get "employed", some spend a few days at day care centres or in social enterprises but what about the others?

And of course, that's just for autism. There are a lot of adults with other disabilities too. You do see some as trolley pushers of shelf stackers in supermarkets but have you ever seen one working as a cashier? I haven't.

In UK this week it was announced that a company established specifically to employ disabled people around the country is reducing its factories by half. Seemingly the government is cutting funding and thus the workforce has to be reduced. If that is the case then it's very short sighted.

If these people can't go out to work in a suitable environment then they will have to stay at home. Someone, usually a family member, will have to look after them which in turn means that they can't go out to work either.

Unless rapid changes are made there's going to be a lot more people staying at home because in recent years there has been an autism epidemic.

It's a major worry and not just financially. Being bored, broke and undervalued is not a happy combination for anyone yet alone someone with a recognised disability.

My friend is worried and so am I.

My son has autism!

Author Description :
Jean Shaw is the author of I'm Not Naughty - I'm Autistic and Autism, Amalgam and Mehttp://www.jeanshaw.com

##########################

The Complete Guide to Finally Understanding Autism is HERE:

http://bit.ly/gyae8z (FREE autism book download)

Finally a one of a kind guide that answers all the questions the parent or a teacher of an autistic child would have. Filled with informative literature the reader will get the real facts about autism and learn how to cope with the stress of raising and teaching an autistic child. You will learn what autism is and you will learn how to deal with the problems associated with it.

http://bit.ly/gyae8z

You will learn the real facts about Autism. You will learn about treatment and educational options that work at reducing the symptoms of Autism.

The brain changes: Can this help Autistic Kids?

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 12:56:00 +0000

The brain is no longer considered to be hard wired. In fact it is now known that the brain is plastic (malleable). It can change depending on the fuel and activation of its neurons. Fuel is glucose and oxygen but here we are addressing the activation part. Dr. Randy Beck stated, “Neural plasticity refers to the way in which the nervous system can respond to external stimuli and adjust future responses based on the outcome of previously initiated responses. In essence, the ability of the nervous system to learn is dependent on plasticity.”

If we localized the area of the functional lesion “under connectivity” we can devise a treatment program to strengthen the weakened pathways. Under connectivity and desyncrinzation are features of autism. Here is an article supporting the concept of under connectivity.

Department of Child Psychiatry, Charles University, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic. robertkulisek@seznam.cz OBJECTIVES: Autism is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder with a high rate of epilepsy and subclinical epileptiform activity. High physical connectivity on a microcolumnar level leading to epileptiform activity and low functional informational connectivity are assumed in autism. The aim of this study was to investigate nonlinear EEG brain dynamics in terms of synchronization in a group of children with autism spectrum disorders compared to a control group. We expected a lower degree of synchronization in autistic subjects. METHODS: The autistic group consisted of 27 patients with autism spectrum disorders diagnosed according to ICD-10. The mean age of the sample was 7.1 (SD 3.6) years, 14 of them were mentally retarded. Normal EEG was found in 9 patients, epileptiform EEG in 18 autistic patients. Four patients had a history of epileptic seizures, fully compensated in long term. The control group consisted of 20 children (mean age of 8.4, SD 2.3 years) with normal intelligence, without an epileptic history, investigated within the frame of the research program for cochlear implantation. They had normal neurological examination and suffered from perceptive deafness. Normal EEG was found in 17 of the control subjects, epileptiform EEG was in 3 control subjects. We analyzed night sleep EEG recordings from 10 channels (F3, F4, F7, F8, C3, C4, T3, T4, P3 and P4) with the inclusion of sleep stages NREM 2, 3 and 4 in the subsequent analyses. Coarse-grained entropy information rates between neighbouring electrodes were computed, expressing the synchronization between 11 selected electrode couples. RESULTS: Synchronization was significantly lower in the autistic group in all three examined NREM stages even when age and intelligence were taken into account as covariates. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study confirmed the validity of the under connectivity model in autism. The doctor must localize the level of the functional lesion ( brainstem, pons, midbrain, cerebellum, cortex) and design a program specific to the child to create neuroplastic changes that correct the under connectivity.

Dr. Mane offers one on one consultation as well as Group Seminars for parents and children who suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorders. If you are interested in scheduling a consultation or to attend a seminar please call 813-935-4744.

For more information about Dr. Nelson Mane, D.C. and his treatment approach for ASD go to http://www.manecenter.com/ADHD.htm.

TOP Activities For Autistic Children

noreply@blogger.com (Anne-Marie Ronsen) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 12:54:00 +0000

By Rachel Evans
Sometimes trying to come up with activities for autistic kids that will be fun, educational and not cost a lot can be a struggle. So it's reassuring to know that there are a number of possibilities out there, it's just a matter of finding some that will appeal to your child's personal tastes. The following are examples of popular activities for autistic children between the ages of 7 and 11.

Indoor Activities:

- Singing - autistic children gain a number of benefits from singing. Children who are non-verbal can hum, make sounds, or play musical instruments such as whistles, tambourines, drums, kazoos, or small keyboards. Repeating sounds, making up new tunes, or even learning educational lyrics can be very useful for helping kids to learn and may also provide them some much-needed sensory stimulation - the same they would get from yelling, only more pleasing to the parental ear! Mimicking one another's notes and tunes can be an important social experience that encourages interaction. Experiment with different sounds and different types of music to find the ones your child enjoys and responds best to.

- Funny Sounds - making and mimicking funny sounds can be a laughter-filled social learning experience for autistic kids and their parents. Children enjoy the sensory outlet and repetition element of this game. You can try writing down a number of different animals or items on different pieces of paper and whichever you choose you have to make the appropriate noise.

- Castles - building castles out of just about anything can be a great deal of fun. The type of building "blocks" depends on the motor skills of the child. It can range from plastic or wooden alphabet blocks to large "Lego" or "Duplo" style blocks, or even playing cards if they're manually dexterous.

- Safe Emergencies - these games are educational based but can also be fun to. They involve enacting the right procedures for what to do in an emergency event. This includes what to do in case of fire and other urgent situations. The important part of these games is to build a calm routine around them.

- Simple Board Games - Begin with simple or basic board games and increase the difficulty level as your child gets older and learns how to work with the rules of the games. Many board games are enjoyable activities for autistic kids because they are relatively predictable and provide a routine. They also encourage turn taking, but make sure losing is never a big deal, it's just an outcome. Otherwise they may associate negative emotions with the game and refuse to play.

Outdoor Activities:

- Simple Childhood Games - think back to your childhood and the games you used to play. For many children there's no reason why they can't take part in basic childhood games. As long as they are not too socially complex, many autistic children can have a lot of fun playing games such as tag or follow the leader. Keep in mind that the best activities for autistic children don't require them to keep close or extended physical contact with other people. You may want to make sure that you stick to games that focus on your child's unique skills to add comfort and confidence to the playing.

- Organized Sports - many children enjoy taking part in organized sports like any other children their age. Aim for sports that allow them to take part without too much sensory stimulation and that doesn't require lots of equipment. Golf and baseball are good activities for autistic kids, whereas sports such as tackle football may not suit.

- Water Balloons - autistic children can often benefit from various sensory stimulators and water balloons can fit the bill. Tossing them about, or holding and squishing them can be lots of fun. This also encourages children to play with others when it comes to games such as "hot potato" - tossing the water filled balloon to one another pretending it's a hot potato.

- Skipping Rocks - if you are fortunate enough to live near water and your child is responsible around water, skipping rocks can be a great way to have fun and use arm muscles, encouraging the development of motor skills. If you have a swimming pool that is large enough, you can try skipping plastic floating disks instead.

- I Spy - whether trying to pass the time in the car or sitting in the yard, this game is a great way to learn colors socially interact with others.

These activities for autistic children are a great way to have fun, learn important lessons, and develop basic social skills without spending the earth.

##########################

The Complete Guide to Finally Understanding Autism is HERE:

http://bit.ly/gyae8z (FREE autism book download)

Finally a one of a kind guide that answers all the questions the parent or a teacher of an autistic child would have. Filled with informative literature the reader will get the real facts about autism and learn how to cope with the stress of raising and teaching an autistic child. You will learn what autism is and you will learn how to deal with the problems associated with it.

http://bit.ly/gyae8z

You will learn the real facts about Autism. You will learn about treatment and educational options that work at reducing the symptoms of Autism.