Coroner rules autistic boy died from chelation

January 6, 2006

on Fri, Jan. 06, 2006

Coroner rules autistic boy died from controversial therapy

Associated Press

MONROEVILLE, Pa. - An autistic boy died as a result of a controversial

treatment known as chelation, a coroner ruled, but it wasn't clear whether

an inquest will be held to determine if criminal charges are warranted.

Abubakar Nadama, 5, of Monroeville, went into cardiac arrest in his doctor's

office in Portersville, County, after the intravenous chelation

therapy Aug. 23.

Chelation therapy involves injecting a synthetic amino acid called EDTA into

the body, which is supposed to clean out heavy metals from the bloodstream

so they can be dispelled through urine.

The FDA has approved chelation for treatment of lead and heavy metal

poisoning, but not to treat autism - which some parents and doctors believe

is caused by heavy metals - because it is considered risky.

Ed Strimian, a deputy coroner Allegheny County who performed the autopsy for

County Coroner Young, said toxicology tests confirmed the

treatment killed the boy.

" We determined there's a direct correlation between the EDTA and the lack of

oxygen to the brain and the heart and muscle damage, " Strimian told the

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for Friday's editions.

Nobody has been charged in the boy's death. Rufia and Mawra Nadama, the

boy's parents are from Nigeria but moved to England 10 years ago. Mawra

Nadama and her son then moved to the Pittsburgh suburb of Monroeville last

spring few months ago so the boy could receive the chelation treatment, the

couple's attorney, Botta has said.

The Nadamas do not have a telephone listed in their name. Botta didn't

immediately return a call for comment Friday.

Young said he plans to meet soon with District Attorney Randa and the

state police to determine if an inquest is warranted. For now, Young is

classifying the death as an accident, but said that could change if more

information is uncovered through the inquest or other investigation.

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