Ancestry of pink disease (infantile acrodynia) identified as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders.

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Ancestry of pink disease (infantile acrodynia) identified as a risk

factor for autism spectrum disorders.

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21797771>

Shandley K, Austin DW.

J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2011 Sep 15;74(18):1185-94.

Pink disease (infantile acrodynia) was especially prevalent in the first

half of the 20th century. Primarily attributed to exposure to mercury

(Hg) commonly found in teething powders, the condition was developed by

approximately 1 in 500 exposed children. The differential risk factor

was identified as an idiosyncratic sensitivity to Hg. Autism spectrum

disorders (ASD) have also been postulated to be produced by Hg.

Analogous to the pink disease experience, Hg exposure is widespread yet

only a fraction of exposed children develop an ASD, suggesting

sensitivity to Hg may also be present in children with an ASD. The

objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that individuals with

a known hypersensitivity to Hg (pink disease survivors) may be more

likely to have descendants with an ASD. Five hundred and twenty-two

participants who had previously been diagnosed with pink disease

completed a survey on the health outcomes of their descendants. The

prevalence rates of ASD and a variety of other clinical conditions

diagnosed in childhood (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,

epilepsy, Fragile X syndrome, and Down syndrome) were compared to

well-established general population prevalence rates. The results showed

the prevalence rate of ASD among the grandchildren of pink disease

survivors (1 in 22) to be significantly higher than the comparable

general population prevalence rate (1 in 160). The results support the

hypothesis that Hg sensitivity may be a heritable/genetic risk factor

for ASD.