The causes are unknown, so treatment is not a “slam-dunk”. Research based on correlation not causation and is inconclusive.
See article below:
What Causes Autism Spectrum Disorder? Research provides
clues to the cause(s) of autism. By Michael Ellis DO, 9/12/18.
The rapidly
increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) makes
finding out what causes ASD even more vital. According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ASD now afflicts 1 in 59 children (and 1
in 37 boys). By contrast, 1 in 150 children were affected in the year
2000. Other studies suggest that current prevalence may be even higher.
The quick and
easy answer to the cause of autism is, “We don’t know.” However, we do have
more understanding than this, although the answer is complex. The current
understanding of ASD is that there are multiple causes of ASD, not a singular
cause of all cases.
We currently
know of many genetic disorders that have ASD associated with them: fragile X
syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, and
neurofibromatosis. The knowledge of these genetic disorders and their
association with autism has led many scientists to believe that the cause of
ASD is primarily genetic. The heritability of ASD was estimated by
scientists to be about 90%. But, at present, the known genetic disorders
that increase the risk of ASD make up at most 25% of cases of ASD. (1)
In that
investigations into the genetic causes of ASD have been less fruitful than
expected, some researchers have turned to studying potential environmental
causes. As such more recent studies have shown the heritability of ASD to
be between 37–50%.(1), making the environmental causes of ASD more significant
than the genetic ones. However, it should be noted that any illness is
caused by the complex interaction of genes with the environment.
Each person’s cause of ASD may have a different degree to which genetics and the environment play a role.
The
environmental causes of ASD have remained somewhat elusive, and proving
causality may be impossible. However, researchers have found some
significant correlations of environmental contributants with ASD. We know
that there is an increased risk for ASD in children born to mothers over 35 and
to fathers over 40 years of age. Other risk factors are closer spacing of
pregnancies, prematurity, low birth weight, and being a first-born child.
An infection during pregnancy or a prolonged fever also
increases the risk for having a child with ASD. Certain other
exposures during pregnancy have been correlated with ASD as well: rubella infection,
first-trimester exposure to thalidomide, valproic acid (Depakote for seizures
or bipolar disorder),
terbutaline use to stop premature labor, and untreated phenylketonuria. (2)
There has been
growing concern and evidence for an association of ASD with pesticides,
phthalates (found in plastics), perfumes, air pollution, other chemicals, and
electromagnetic fields. Further, experts have already known that mercury,
lead, arsenic, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and toluene are toxic to
humans and cause neurodevelopmental disorders. Thus, it would not be surprising
if we found that a chemical or combination of chemicals did cause or
dramatically increase the risk of ASD. About 85,000 chemicals have been
manufactured in the U.S. and of these, 2,800 are used in high volumes with
little information about their developmental toxicity.(3)
Several studies
have shown that those with ASD have changes in genes that are involved in
detoxifying the body from harmful chemicals. This would make those persons more
at risk of toxicity and adverse effects from these chemicals. One review of the
literature regarding environmental toxicants found 92% of 37 studies showed an
association between ASD and environmental exposures such as pesticides,
phthalates, PCBs, solvents, toxic waste sites, heavy metals, and air
pollutants. The strongest evidence in the studies appeared to be with
pesticides and air pollution. Exposure to toxicants in the water supply or
mothers’ eating of fish (increasing mercury exposure) was not supported as an
increased risk for ASD. It should be noted that these studies show a
correlation and do not prove causality.(3)
Pesticides kill
“pests” by damaging the pests' nervous system. Thus, it would not be
unreasonable if pesticides did have harmful effects on the human nervous system
despite not causing death. Higher levels of organophosphate insecticides
have been found in pregnant women whose children later developed ASD.
Also, higher levels of organophosphates in the umbilical cord blood were
associated with ASD symptoms in early childhood. These pesticides have been found
to be related to problems in memory, motor coordination, cognitive development, and visuospatial
performance. Since organophosphates were more recently banned for
household use, pyrethroids or pyrethrin have been more commonly used as pesticides.
Metabolites of pyrethrins have been found in 70% of adults. It is clear
that these pesticides are pervasive in our environment with little safety
data. But the data that we do have is concerning. More high-quality
studies are needed to evaluate the safety of pesticides used for both agricultural
and residential purposes.
Phthalates are
chemicals that make plastics flexible and harder to break. They are used
in hundreds of products such as detergents, lubricating oils, vinyl flooring,
adhesives, automotive plastics, raincoats, and personal-care products including
nail polish, soaps, shampoos, and hairsprays. They are also found in 75%
of cosmetics. Phthalates are found in inflatable toys and some children
toys. One is exposed to phthalates by eating and drinking products that
have come into contact with phthalates. Young children are at greatest
risk as they frequently put their hands in their mouths especially after
touching plastic toys.(4) According to the CDC, the outcome of exposure to even
low levels of phthalates is not known. I know, this is shocking!
Phthalates have
been implicated in behavioral problems, ASD, ADHD, obesity, social deficits, thyroid dysfunction,
and conduct problems. In animals, they have been linked to low birth
weight, infertility, and abnormalities in male genitalia. One study found a
doubling of ASD in children who had polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flooring in
the parents' or children’s rooms. PVC
flooring is a significant source of airborne phthalates. (4)
Bisphenol A
(BPA) is a type of phthalate that is found in plastic drink bottles, can
liners, plastic food wrapping, baby bottles, and more. It has estrogen properties and disrupts the normal
functioning of the endocrine system. It has also been linked
to diabetes and obesity. BPA was banned in bottles due to health concerns, but there is some
evidence that the replacement for BPA, known as BPB, is just as harmful.(4)
To protect you and your children from
phthalates, you should reduce the use of products containing phthalates.
When possible, choose products that are phthalate-free. Limit the number
of baby-care products you use. Avoid products with fragrances. The
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website keeps a list of safe products. Use
glass and stainless steel products when possible instead of plastic when
preparing or storing food. If you must use plastic, choose those that state “phthalate-free”
or those marked as # 1,2, 4 or 5, which are considered safer.
Never microwave food in plastic
containers or put plastic-ware in the dishwasher. High temperatures cause
leaching of phthalates into food. Do not use canned formula, but instead
use powdered formula or breastfeed. Do not buy PVC products especially if used
in teethers. Avoid inhaling phthalates. Do not paint unless in well
a ventilated room and remove your child from the room until fumes have
dissipated. You can also buy paint without dibutyl phthalate. Choose
non-vinyl shower curtains and raincoats. Clean frequently as phthalates
end up in the dust in your home. Do not use air fresheners as all have
phthalates in them. If you use perfume, spray it on your clothes and not on
your skin. (4)
Lastly, vaccines have been implicated in
causing ASD. This history is long and involved, but suffice it to say that many
very high quality studies have disproven any link between vaccines and
ASD. In response to parental concerns, a 2013 study was done, showing no
link between the number of vaccines given to a child and ASD. A 2015 study
found that the MMR vaccine was not associated with ASD even in those at greater
risk of ASD, including siblings of those with ASD.(5)
Comments
Moms do have their children vaccinated,
but they limit the number of vaccines administered at the same time. Kids are
like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.
We are in the “search for the
correlations” phase of our understanding of autism. It can be expensive,
unproductive, irrelevant and dangerous. We are the lab rats in this quest.
Regulations are based on correlation and
wrong conclusions have consequences. We invited a recurrence of malaria when we
banned DDT. Lead paint is only dangerous when you eat it. Class action suits
invite fraud and TV advertising expense. The vast majority of cancer deaths in
my subdivision were non-smokers.
Alarmists will demand the end of most
commercial products, Lawyers will remain fully employed and expensive. We are
functioning in a sabotage-rich political environment. New laws are passed daily
to limit our use of new products.
We don’t follow the precautions
suggested in this article. We continue to put our Tupperware in the microwave
and the dishwasher. We haven’t replaced our vinyl shower curtains. We continue
to use soap, air fresheners, perfume and hairspray.
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody
GA Tea Party Leader
