CHARGE: Mercury levels of autistics same

New findings from the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE) study have found no difference in the blood levels of mercury among children ages 2-5 with autism spectrum disorders and children who were developing normally.

Children aged 2-5 years with autism or other ASD had similar blood Hg concentrations to TD controls after adjustment for a variety of home and medical Hg sources. This finding was maintained when analysis was restricted to non-fish eaters.  Blood Hg levels in both controls and cases were very close to those of a nationally representative sample of 1-5 year olds in the U.S.

Incorrectly diagnosed, elevated mercury levels in children with autism are often used as justification for chelation therapy, a treatment in which patients are given a drug that binds to heavy metals to be excreted in urine.  This treatment is approved for severe lead poisoning, but has no valid basis for use in the treatment of autism.  Possible risks include Nausea,v omiting, body pains, neutropenia, and death.  

Institute of Medicine Immunization Safety Review states that “No scientific evidence … that chelation is an effective therapy.” *source

[Hertz-Picciotto I and others. Blood mercury concentrations in CHARGE Study: Children with and without autism. Environmental Health Perspectives, Oct 19, 2009] The complete report is available at http://www.ehponline.org/members/2009/0900736/0900736.pdf