chelation study - Quebec

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Primary Author's Institution/Affiliation

Montreal Children's Hospital

Abstract Title

Mercury levels in children with PDDs and their mothers: a case-control

study

List of Authors

E. Fombonne, R. Zakarian, M. Tsonis, E. Dewailly

Study Objectives: Concerns have been raised about mercury exposure as a

potential cause for autism. The study was undertaken to compare levels

of mercury in biological tissues of preschoolers recently diagnosed with

autism and of their mothers to those of pediatric controls.

Methods: 71 patients with PDD were recruited from the Autism Spectrum

Disorders Clinic of the Montreal Childrens Hospital and were assessed

with the ADI, the ADOS-G, IQ tests and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior

Scales. 77 children attending pediatric clinics of the same hospital

were recruited and matched to the cases for age and gender. Blood, hair,

and toenail specimens were collected from all children and their

mothers. Specimen were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma mass

spectroscopy (ICPMS).

Results: Children with PDD (mean age: 4.1 years; 88% male) did not

differ from pediatric controls with respect to blood, hair and toenail

levels of mercury. Similarly, maternal levels of mercury were comparable

in cases and controls. Furthermore, mean mercury levels of children with

PDD were comparable to published population norms. Further analyses

showed that, within the PDD group, no relationship was found between

mercury levels and severity of autistic symptomatology, level of

functioning and the presence/absence of regression.

Conclusion: There is no evidence that children with PDD have elevated

levels of mercury or that they have deficiencies in mercury excretion.

The findings do not support the use of chelation therapies as a

treatment of autism.

Sponsor: Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ-MSSS