Autism Cases Rise Despite Vaccine Change

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Autism Cases Rise Despite Vaccine Change

Study: Calif. Autism Cases Continue To Increase Even After Removal Of

Vaccine Preservative

http://tinyurl.com/2bw26e

(AP) Autism cases in California continued to climb even after a

mercury-based vaccine preservative that some people blame for the

neurological disorder was removed from routine childhood shots, a new

study found.

Researchers from the state Department of Public Health found the

autism rate in children rose continuously during the 12-year study

period from 1995 to 2007. The preservative thimerosal hasn't been used

in childhood vaccines since 2001, but is used in some flu shots.

Doctors say the latest study adds to existing evidence refuting a link

between thimerosal exposure and autism risk and should reassure

parents that the disorder is not caused by vaccinations. If there was

a risk, they said, autism rates should have dropped between 2004 and 2007.

The findings show " no evidence of mercury poisoning in autism " since

there was no decline in autism rates even after the elimination of

thimerosal, said Dr. Fombonne, an autism researcher at Montreal

Children's Hospital who had no role in the research.

Some advocacy groups blame thimerosal for the impaired social

interaction typical of autism. Nearly 5,000 claims alleging a

vaccine-autism link have been lodged with the federal government,

which is deciding whether victims should receive compensation from a

government fund.

Dr. Geschwind, a neurologist at the Geffen School of

Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, said the focus

now should be on exploring the causes of autism such as possible

genetic links.

" Something else must be at play and we need to know what that is if

we're really serious about preventing autism, " said Geschwind, who had

no connection with the study.

For their study, California public health officials calculated the

autism rate by analyzing a database of state-funded centers that care

for people with autism and other developmental disorders.

They found the prevalence of autism in children aged 3 to 12 increased

throughout the study period. For example, 0.3 per 1,000 children born

in 1993 had autism at age 3 compared with 1.3 per 1,000 children born

in 2003. Similar trends were found in other age groups.

" These time trends are inconsistent with the hypothesis that

thimerosal exposure is a primary cause of autism in California, " the

researchers wrote.

Results were published in January's issue of the journal Archives of

General Psychiatry. The study did not explore why there was an

increase in autism cases.

Federal statistics show about one in 150 children in the United States

have autism, higher than previous estimates. Researchers say it's

unclear if the increase is due to changes in how the disorder is

classified or whether it's an actual spike.

Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction and

communication skills. There is no cure, but early therapy can lessen

the severity.