Statement on Autism, Vaccines & Mitochondrial Disease
Mitochondrial Disease Action Committee (MitoAction) Statement on Autism, Vaccines and Mitochondrial Disease
www.MitoAction.org
March 21, 2008
The recent headlines concerning the potential links between autism, mitochondrial diseases, and vaccinations are evidence of the need for better understanding about mitochondrial disease. It is conservatively estimated that one in 4000 individuals are affected by mitochondrial disease, although specialists agree that the disease is under-recognized in the general population. The presentations and severity of symptoms of mitochondrial disorders clinically vary and affect both adults and children.
Vaccinations are critical in protecting the health of our children. All children, even those with suspected or known mitochondrial diseases, should receive the recommended vaccinations. The risks of these communicable illnesses outweigh the risk of vaccine-related reactions. Any causal relationship of thimerisol to incidence of autism has been disproven by observing the incidence of autism before and after eliminating this form of mercury from the vaccines. MitoAction encourages parents to talk to their pediatrician about these concerns.
David Holtzman, MD, PhD, a Pediatric Neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA, notes, “Mitochondrial Disease may present with the clinical features of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Several recent studies have documented biochemical evidence of abnormal mitochondrial functions in at least 30% of children with ASD.”
Awareness and attention to mitochondrial disorders will bring greater understanding of the impact of environmental and physiologic stressors on both autism and mitochondrial disease. Further research may explain how autism can be an expression of mitochondrial diseases and could be prevented.
Well if autism can be a
Submitted by Cindy_01 on Thu, 09/04/2008 - 5:11pm.
It's important to think
Submitted by Cristy Balcells on Thu, 10/02/2008 - 7:24am.
It's important to think about what "symptom" means here. If autism were a "symptom", then it would be marker that one would look for when diagnosing mitochondrial disease.
I don't think that's the case. Instead, many children with confirmed mitochondrial disease have autistic spectrum features - and which came first, the chicken or the egg, is left to be determined.
Is there a component of mitochondrial function that is related to autism? Quite possibly. Could vaccines stress mitochondrial function in some children, creating a tipping point that causes autistic characteristics. Again, it's possible.
You raise a valid point,
Submitted by zombo09 on Thu, 04/23/2009 - 10:46pm.
You raise a valid point, well said.
My mother teaches at a
Submitted by mikese on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 12:44pm.
My mother teaches at a school where the kids have autism or aspergers.
I know that certain
Submitted by socialmaker on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 10:04am.
I know that certain syndromes and diseases can be really hard to manage. It's really sad when a boy/girl is born with Autism but we must face life as it is. My medical site which uses a webhosting plan works really great and i have found out interesting (and sometimes sad) stories from people writing on my site. Life ain't pretty sometimes but that's that.
thanks,very interesting post
Submitted by mrwilli on Sat, 08/22/2009 - 6:58pm.
thanks,very interesting post
I agree that vaccines for
Submitted by nikifrost8 on Mon, 10/12/2009 - 10:18am.
I agree that vaccines for children are very important. It strengthens their immunity at an early age, and also prevents diseases from spreading quickly. Just think how quickly lice spreads in schools. The sooner our kids are vaccinated the better.
Our Government has taken
Submitted by muktere on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 5:21am.
Our Government has taken proper action for vaccination. But some places people are not aware of that. This prevents to spread the disease. But I don't know autism is the symptom of of Mitochondrial Disorders. Thanks for sharing this information. I got a chance to know about this.
The recent headlines
Submitted by 123 on Fri, 10/16/2009 - 10:08am.
The recent headlines concerning the potential links between autism, mitochondrial diseases, and vaccinations are evidence of the need for better understanding about mitochondrial disease.
Well worth the read. Thanks
Submitted by kerosen on Sun, 11/22/2009 - 10:21am.
Well worth the read. Thanks for sharing this information. I got a chance to know about this.
Good point, Cindy.
Submitted by rodbrokert on Thu, 11/26/2009 - 8:15am.
Good point, Cindy.
I agree,all children, even
Submitted by Deea on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 5:38pm.