25 Mar 2006 - Pesticides and Jabs 'to Blame for Autism Rise'
Pesticides and Jabs 'to Blame for Autism Rise'
By FIONA MACRAE
RECORD numbers of children are being treated for autism, figures have revealed.
More than 6,000 under-16s were diagnosed with the condition last year more than twice the number of new cases in the late Nineties.
The number of adults with autism and related conditions is also on the rise, bringing the total number of new cases in Britain in 2004-2005 to a record 9,170.
However the government figures which only take into account diagnoses by hospital consultants are likely to be the tip of the iceberg.
Other studies have estimated that as many as one in 150 children may have autism or related conditions such as Asperger's Syndrome.
Autism charities say the increase can be explained by a growing awareness of the condition. However, others believe the rise is linked to the MMR jab and even to chemicals found in pesticides. The MMR vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella hit the headlines in the late Nineties following research which linked it to autism and bowel disorders.
Although the research has been much disputed, take-up of the triple vaccine remains low, with many parents remain convinced it is linked to autism.
Paul Shattock, from the Autism Research Unit at Sunderland University, believes the vaccine has played a role in the surge of cases. He said: 'I am convinced the MMR jab is one factor in a small percentage of children but it does not explain the whole increase.'
He is also looking at a possible link between pesticide chemicals called organophospates and autism.
But the National Autistic Society said the increase in cases is likely to be explained by heightened awareness of the condition. A spokesman said: 'There are no known causes of autism and no known cure. But what we do know is that awareness has increased significantly among professionals and the public.
'I suspect a large proportion of the increase can be put down to the fact that people are just more conscious of the condition.'
The charity has been training health professionals to recognise the symptoms of autism at an earlier stage in a child's life. It estimates that around half-a-million children and adults in the UK have autism, although the majority remain undiagnosed.
'If health professionals continue to recognise autism symptoms, then the numbers will continue to increase,' the spokesman said.
The latest figures were revealed in response to a parliamentary answer to Tory health spokesman Andrew Lansley. They show that 6,170 children under 16 were diagnosed in hospital last year twice the 3,100 diagnosed in 1997 to 1998.
Among those aged 16 or over the numbers jumped from 1,110 to 3,000 in the same period.
Autism is a developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and interacts with other people.
Although associated with childhood, the condition lasts into adult life, making ordinary activities like socialising difficult. It can also be found in highly intelligent individuals.
Some experts believe Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton both suffered a form of autism.
A Department of Health spokesman said techniques for diagnosing autism has improved greatly in recent years.
He added: 'There is no link between autism levels and the MMR vaccine. MMR remains the best form of protection against measles, mumps and rubella.'
f.macrae@dailymail.co.uk
Source: Daily Mail; London (UK)
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By FIONA MACRAE
RECORD numbers of children are being treated for autism, figures have revealed.
More than 6,000 under-16s were diagnosed with the condition last year more than twice the number of new cases in the late Nineties.
The number of adults with autism and related conditions is also on the rise, bringing the total number of new cases in Britain in 2004-2005 to a record 9,170.
However the government figures which only take into account diagnoses by hospital consultants are likely to be the tip of the iceberg.
Other studies have estimated that as many as one in 150 children may have autism or related conditions such as Asperger's Syndrome.
Autism charities say the increase can be explained by a growing awareness of the condition. However, others believe the rise is linked to the MMR jab and even to chemicals found in pesticides. The MMR vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella hit the headlines in the late Nineties following research which linked it to autism and bowel disorders.
Although the research has been much disputed, take-up of the triple vaccine remains low, with many parents remain convinced it is linked to autism.
Paul Shattock, from the Autism Research Unit at Sunderland University, believes the vaccine has played a role in the surge of cases. He said: 'I am convinced the MMR jab is one factor in a small percentage of children but it does not explain the whole increase.'
He is also looking at a possible link between pesticide chemicals called organophospates and autism.
But the National Autistic Society said the increase in cases is likely to be explained by heightened awareness of the condition. A spokesman said: 'There are no known causes of autism and no known cure. But what we do know is that awareness has increased significantly among professionals and the public.
'I suspect a large proportion of the increase can be put down to the fact that people are just more conscious of the condition.'
The charity has been training health professionals to recognise the symptoms of autism at an earlier stage in a child's life. It estimates that around half-a-million children and adults in the UK have autism, although the majority remain undiagnosed.
'If health professionals continue to recognise autism symptoms, then the numbers will continue to increase,' the spokesman said.
The latest figures were revealed in response to a parliamentary answer to Tory health spokesman Andrew Lansley. They show that 6,170 children under 16 were diagnosed in hospital last year twice the 3,100 diagnosed in 1997 to 1998.
Among those aged 16 or over the numbers jumped from 1,110 to 3,000 in the same period.
Autism is a developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and interacts with other people.
Although associated with childhood, the condition lasts into adult life, making ordinary activities like socialising difficult. It can also be found in highly intelligent individuals.
Some experts believe Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton both suffered a form of autism.
A Department of Health spokesman said techniques for diagnosing autism has improved greatly in recent years.
He added: 'There is no link between autism levels and the MMR vaccine. MMR remains the best form of protection against measles, mumps and rubella.'
f.macrae@dailymail.co.uk
Source: Daily Mail; London (UK)
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