Parents of children with autism often seek unconventional treatments, particularly those that address possible adverse results of vaccines, such as mercury toxicity resulting from exposure to the preservative thimerosol, which contained 49.5% ethyl mercury and was used in most childhood vaccinations up to 2001. After 2001, all childhood vaccines in the U.S. were available in thimerosol-free forms, with the exception of flu shots. However, vaccines still carry a host of other additives.

Considering what has been put into the vaccines that are injected into hours-old infants, it is easy to understand why they were considered the culprits: antibiotics, aluminum phosphate (toxic and carcinogenic), aluminum salts (neurotoxic and corrosive to tissue), formaldehyde (used in embalming), isopropyl (toxic and oxidized by the liver into acetone), methanol (toxic), phenols (corrosive to skin and toxic), thimerosal (nearly 50% mercury), 2-phenoxyethanol (toxic and respiratory tract irritant), live viruses and numerous other unknown components considered off-limits as trade secrets. These are just part of the vaccine mixture that has been routinely given to newborns.

Among those who believe there are hazardous compounds in vaccines responsible for the increased cases of autism and other neurological disorders, thimerosal is at the top of the list of possible suspects.

Vaccines and Gastrointestinal Distress

Many children with autism have chronic gastrointestinal inflammation and structural compromise in the digestive tract. Intestinal inflammation can reduce nutrient absorption and cause disruptions in immune and general metabolic functions that are dependent upon these essential vitamins.

Children with neurological disorders often suffer from severe gastrointestinal distress and inflammation. One trigger of gastrointestinal distress and inflammation is the MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is a "3-in-1" vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.

A study at the New Jersey Medical School demonstrated that, to a much higher degree, children with an autism spectrum disorder suffer from Ileo-Colonic Lymphoid Nodular Hyperplasia, a serious disorder of the intestinal tract.41 Another study examined the link between autistic behaviors and gastrointestinal disorders and noted a link "between GI and behavioral symptoms mediated by innate immune abnormalities."

Autism may be influenced by a disruption in G-alpha protein, which affects retinoid receptors in the brain. Some autistic children may have a Vitamin A deficiency because of gastrointestinal inflammation caused by leaky gut syndrome, allergies or viral infections. A study of 60 autistic children suggested that autism can be triggered by a G-alpha protein defect, the pertussis toxin found in the DPT vaccine, into genetically at-risk children.

The DPT vaccine is a mixture of three vaccines, to immunize against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus. The pertussis toxin separates the G-alpha protein from retinoid receptors. Those most at risk report a family history of at least one parent with a pre-existing G-alpha protein defect, including night blindness, pseudohypoparathyroidism or adenoma of the thyroid or pituitary gland. Natural vitamin A may reconnect the retinoid receptors critical for vision, sensory perception, language processing and attention.

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