Wednesday, July 2, 2008

My Two Cents worth...

Please note, this post is not in any way meant to diagnose/treat or OFFEND anyone!!!!!

Because I am a pediatric RN working in a pediatrician's office, I thought I should post some thoughts of mine on the relationship between autism and vaccines. I would venture to say that vaccinating children encompasses at least 75% of my job. I feel it is my professional responsibility to decide how I should deal with certain issues, this being one of them. I know of many people who are pregnant or who have very young infants who have varying concerns on this issue. So I began researching a month or so ago. I spoke with some of the pediatricians in my office about this, read on the CDC-Centers for Disease Control website, and researched the definition/signs/symptoms of autism on the internet-(all medically sound websites).

the question is, to vaccinate or not to vaccinate??? yes that is the question I am getting...
I say, go ahead and vaccinate your children. Before I launch into my theory, here is what I read about the causes of Autism in Wikepedia. *ASD=Autistic Spectrum Disorder
"Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by multigene interactions or by rare mutations with major effects.[3] Early studies of twins estimated heritability explains more than 90% of the risk of autism, assuming a shared environment and no other genetic or medical syndromes.[14] However, most of the mutations that increase autism risk have not been identified. Typically, autism cannot be traced to a Mendelian (single-gene) mutation or to single chromosome abnormalities such as Angelman syndrome or fragile X syndrome, and none of the genetic syndromes associated with ASDs has been shown to selectively cause ASD.[3] There may be significant interactions among mutations in several genes, or between the environment and mutated genes. Numerous candidate genes have been located, with only small effects attributable to any particular gene.[3] The large number of autistic individuals with unaffected family members may result from copy number variations (CNVs)—spontaneous deletions or duplications in genetic material during meiosis.[49] Hence, a substantial fraction of autism may be highly heritable but not inherited: that is, the mutation that causes the autism is not present in the parental genome.[48]
All known teratogens (agents that cause birth defects) related to the risk of autism appear to act during the first eight weeks from conception, and though this does not exclude the possibility that autism can be initiated or affected later, it is strong evidence that autism arises very early in development.[4] Although evidence for other environmental causes is anecdotal and has not been confirmed by reliable studies,[5] extensive searches are underway.[50] Environmental factors that have been claimed to contribute to or exacerbate autism, or may be important in future research, include certain foods, infectious disease, heavy metals, solvents, diesel exhaust, PCBs, phthalates and phenols used in plastic products, pesticides, brominated flame retardants, alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs, and vaccines.[6] Although parents may first become aware of autistic symptoms in their child around the time of a routine vaccination, and parental concern about vaccines has led to a decreasing uptake of childhood immunizations and an increasing likelihood of measles outbreaks, there is overwhelming scientific evidence showing no causal association between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism, and there is no scientific evidence that the vaccine preservative thiomersal helps cause autism.[51]"-From Wikepedia

So here is my theory. Austism is mainly genetic. What I gathered from all of my research is that there are some children that have the gene mutations and there is possibly some unknown environmental factor(s) that trigger these gene mutations and alas the child ends up on the austism spectrum. I also read that 23% of autistic children were completely cured of autism when put on a gluten-free and casein (milk protein) free diet. So in this percentage of children, gluten and casein may be those environmental "triggers."

Some of us are predisposed to have medical issues, and given the "right circumstances/stress/time of life" may go into having full blown health issue that requires a change of life or medication. Type 1 diabetes is another example. Some of us have DNA that predisposes us to Diabetes. (it is often genetic) Then we lead a stressful life, don't get enough exercise, and eat sweets on a regular basis, then suddenly one may find themselves with a diabetes diagnosis. (poor example I know, but easily identified with)
Another reason I feel that autism is genetic, is because in SOME cases, the autistic child often has a sibling with the same diagnosis.

So after the CDC takes mercury and other preservatives that are thought to cause autism out of vaccines, we are still having a child be diagnosed on average every 20 minutes! I think what has happened is that the medical community has learned how to better diagnose children at a younger age, and vaccines are getting the blame. (because of the time frame)

So here is why you should vaccinate your children. We as a society depend on what is called Herd Immunity(go look it up for more info). Polio, Measles, Pertussis, and Diptheria are still around and very much alive. The reason we never see any of this is because we have all been vaccinated against them!!! When working as a nurse at Arkansas children's hospital, I saw a 14 month child almost die from pertussis. He was in ICU for several several weeks with an unsure prognosis... (he did make it thankfully)-- This was easily preventable!!! His mother was in a small cult, and they did not believe in vaccinating their children.

So I will leave you with this: Weather or not you want to vaccinate your children is your choice. But please research this for yourself and ask questions!!!! Please find a pediatrician that will listen and respect your decision and discuss all possibilities with you (ex: a different or slower vaccine schedule?!) Thanks for reading!

4 comments:

Morgan Holt said...

Totally agree with you! It's scary sending our kids to school and out in the world with children that are unvaccinated especially when the infants that are actually being vaccinated haven't yet (i.e. Clara Kate) gotten all of their doses to keep them fully protected against these dreadful diseases. Thanks for the info Nurse Lindy! :)

Anonymous said...

Very interesting, Lindy.

Thank you for sharing. :-)

concerned heart said...

Do you know that older paternal age is a robust risk factor for autism and many other genetic disorders? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paternal_age_effect

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23849196-5000117,00.html

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=fact-or-fiction-men-have-biological-clocks

http://autism-prevention.blogspot.com/

Lauryn said...

Lindy,

I simply could not read this and not comment. Please do not take this personally. I am not upset nor do I want to upset you, but I just couldn't sit by and not respond to something I feel so strongly about! It is very easy for moms of typical (non-autistic) children to be judgemental in other's choice to not vaccinate their children. If your child is vaccinated, GREAT! My child shouldn't bring you any harm! But please don't look down at me for trying to keep my children healthy and safe! And I won't look down on you for doing the same as you make choices about your child's health.

Unfortunately, I have researched this for nearly 3 years. The CDC has recently admitted a link between a child's vaccinations and her onset of Autism. This is huge!
See the story below:

http://www.ajc.com/health/content/health/stories/2008/03/06/autism_0306.html

I agree with some of what you said. Autistic children are genetically predisposed to autism. They have a weakened immune system and somewhere along the line there is an environmental trigger that sets it off. No the MMR does not CAUSE Autism, but for some children it is the trigger that sets it off. It could be a number of triggers (antibiotics, vaccines, allergens, etc...) I have personally seen with my own eyes, a completely normal, talking, interacting, social child the day before he rec'd his shots. Then 1 week later, seen the very same child completely unaware of his surroundings, unable to speak, and lost in the dark world of autism. What happened in that week time? He got his shots, ran a high fever, screamed high pitch screams, and slipped into the dark world of autism. Coincidence or environmental trigger?

The number one thing doctors tell new moms is to use their intuition. If something doesn't seem right to you, don't do it. If you have a bad feeling about something, go do your own research. Do NOT allow ANYONE to talk you INTO or OUT OF any health care decision. It is your child and you have to decide what is right for your child based on family history, etc... I AM NOT AGAINST VACCINATIONS. They are an important part of disease control in our country and world. However, a blanket, one size fits all, shot schedule is not appropriate for all children! It is also concerning that even though mercury was mandated to be with-held from vaccines, it is still found in several including the flu shot. The MMR vaccines were not pulled from the shelf - so it is possible to still find vaccines being used with mercury in them. Also, it was only banned from being used as a perservative - not a transporter. It is amazing how many autistic children have metal poisoning! Is it a coincidence? I am also amazed that in 1983, Autism was 1 in 10,000. Our children were given 10 vaccines by their 2 year old bday. Now, we have 1 in 150 with Autism and we are giving our babies 36 vaccines!!! Don't you think there might be a correlation? (Side note: Why does my 2 month old need a Hep B vaccine? Hep B is transmitted by dirty needles and sexual intercourse - bodily fluids. I am pretty sure my 2 month old will not be having sex and won't be around dirty needles!) When I asked my MD about this, he said due to the early age kids are sexually active, it was too difficult to get kids into the office for a vaccine before they have intercourse. So they lump it into childhood vaccines?? Adding more toxins to my newborn child's body while protecting them against something they are not even at risk for?)

Who do you think feels most passionately about finding the cause or trigger for autism? I believe parents of autistic children would be right up there near the top if not at the top, don't you all? Then why not listen to the thousands of moms when they tell what they believe triggered autism in their children.

Please watch this short video. I'm not a Jenny McCarthy fan HOWEVER, she has done a lot of the same research I have and come to the same conclusions I did BEFORE her book came out. I was shocked at how many things she says that I also strongly believe!

http://web.mac.com/tracilynn8/Site/Rileys_Blog/Entries/2008/4/19_Jenny%3A_Telling_It_Like_No_One_Else_Will.html

You are correct about the gluten free and caseine free diet although I wouldn't say "completely cured". Recovered, greatly benefitted from it, yes. It is impossible for a child to "miss" a year or more of his early dev. years and not have any repercussions. Maybe it's speech articulation or auditory processing, but there will be some residual affects from being oblivious to the world during such an important time of development.

2 years ago, MDs laughed at the GFCF diet - now they are slowly agreeing to its benefits to some children with autism. Will they do the same about vaccines in a few years? Let's be honest. It is so hard to know the truth of the matter when MDs make alot of their money from vaccinations and big dollar drug companies who make the vaccines. (Our peditrician has told us as much! $75 for office visit and $300 for vaccines? Where is the money being made?) When there is a lot of money involved, it can and will cloud your vision. Same with the CDC. If the CDC came out and admitted what they know about vaccines, our government would be bankrupt from the legal action and damages they would be responsible for.

I encourage you to read some more, do some research and talk to those of us who have been affected so personally by it. I know you mean well and I agree with some of what you said EXCEPT telling moms to go ahead and vaccinate. Your last paragraph was right!! If there are concerns, do more research. Talk to your pediatrician and consider an adjusted shot schedule or waiting until your child is older. Prioritize the vaccines and spread them out! Don't feel badly about refusing a vaccine if your child is not at risk... for example Hep B.

Just some facts to know about Autism:
Did you know…
•Autism affects as many as 1 in 150 children and 1 in 94 boys
•Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the world
•More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with diabetes, cancer, & AIDS combined
•Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism
•There is no medical detection or cure for autism, but early diagnosis and intervention improve outcomes
•Autism does not discriminate by geography, class, or ethnicity

Thanks for reading my thoughts and opinions on this!

PS. Concerned Heart is correct - there is some correlation between the age of the father and risk of autism.