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Toxic and Essential Elements in Autism and Childhood Behavior

David Quig, PhD and Meghan Higley, ND
The premier reference laboratory for multi-
multi-element, digestive, amino acids and other specialty analyses. 3755 Illinois Ave; Saint Charles, IL 60174; 800-
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323-2784; www.doctorsdata.com

A Case-
Case-Control Study of Mercury Burden in Children with Reduced Levels of Mercury in First Baby Haircuts
Autistic Spectrum Disorders of Autistic Children
J. Bradstreet, D. Geier, J. Kartzinel, J. Adams, M. Geier A.F. Holmes, M.F. Blaxill, B.E. Haley
JAPS 2003; 8(3): 76-79 IJT 2003; 22: 277-285

In this study, evaluations of mercury excretion levels among children with autistic First baby haircut samples were obtained from 94 children diagnosed
spectrum disorders in comparison to a matched control population based upon a with autism using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,

Actual Hair Hg Level

three-day treatment with an oral chelating agent, meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid 4th edition (DSM IV) criteria and 45 age- and gender-matched controls.
(DMSA) was undertaken. The overall results of this analysis showed that there Information on diet, dental amalgam fillings, vaccine history, Rho D
were statistically significantly increased urinary mercury concentrations immunoglobulin administration, and autism symptom severity was
(Relative Increase (RI)=3.15; p,0.0002) among 221 cases of children with autistic collected through a maternal survey questionnaire and clinical
spectrum disorders in comparison to 18 normal controls. Additionally, vaccinated observation. Hair mercury levels in the autistic group were 0.47 ppm
cases matched to vaccinated controls also showed a statistically significant (RI=3.76; versus 3.63 ppm in controls, a significant difference. The mothers in the
p < 0.005) relationship between autistic spectrum disorders and elevated urinary autistic group had significantly higher levels of mercury exposure through
mercury concentrations. Similar urinary mercury concentrations were observed Rho D immunoglobulin injections and amalgam fillings than control
among matched vaccinated and unvaccinated controls, and no association was found mothers. Within the autistic group, hair mercury levels varied significantly
between urinary cadmium or lead levels and autistic spectrum disorders among the across mildly, moderately, and severely autistic children, with mean
children examined in this study. The mercury measured in this study is compatible group levels of 0.79, 0.46, and 0.21 ppm, respectively. Hair mercury Predicted Hair Hg Level
with exposure to mercury in childhood vaccines, while the contribution of thimerosal in levels among controls were significantly correlated with the number of
Rho-D immune globulin and other potential environmental sources of mercury the mothers' amalgam fillings and their fish consumption as well as Actual hair levels in autistics and controls are compared to a predicted value. The predicted
exposure, both acute and chronic, may be contributory. exposure to mercury through childhood vaccines, correlations that were value is obtained using the regression equation for controls: Birth hair mercury level = (5.60)
absent in the autistic group. Hair mercury excretion patterns among + 0.04 (amalgam volume(1)) + 1.15 (fish consumption(2)) + 0.03 (vaccine(3)) R2 = .79. Perfect
Population Number Number Mean Mean Urinary prediction of actual hair levels by the regression model is represented by the dashed line.
Type of Boys of Girls Age in Mercury autistic infants were significantly reduced relative to control.
Years (mcg/g creatinine)
(Range) (Range)
Mineral Status, Toxic Metal Exposure Hair Lead and Cadmium Levels and Specific Depressive and Anxiety-
Anxiety-
Cases 183 38 6.25 4.06 ± 8.59
(3 to 15) (0 to 58.65) and Children’
Children’s Behavior Related Symptomology in Children
Controls 14 4 8.85 1.29 ± 1.54 J.A. LeClair, D.W. Quig J.A. LeClair, D.W. Quig
(3 to 16) (0 to 6.2) JOM 2001; 16(1): 13-32 JOM 2003; 18(2): 97-107

This study investigates the relationship between hair element status and This study investigates the relationship between hair lead and cadmium levels and specific,
Analysis of post- DMSA urinary Mercury excretion found a strong, statistically problem behavior in a sample of 237 children attending grades K sub-clinical emotional problems in a sample of urban children. Information about the
significant association between greatly increased urinary mercury concentrations and presence of the depressive and anxiety-related symptomatology considered was derived
through four in Victoria, British Columbia schools. Children were
the presence of autistic spectrum disorders in vaccinated children. from parental responses to
classified on the basis of behavioral status using the Walker Problem
Behavior Identification Checklist. Logistic regression analyses were used the Walker Problem Behavior
High Lead High Cadmium
Analyses of Toxic Metals and Essential Minerals in the Hair of Arizona
Arizona in order to assess the degree of association between hair element levels Identification Checklist. Chi- Problem Behavior Odds Ratio for Odds Ratio for
Children with Autism and Associated Conditions, and their Mothers
Mothers and behavior. Amongst all of the elements considered, calcium in square analyses and logistic Exhibiting Behavior Exhibiting Behavior
Makes distrustful or
particular appears to be of importance, with significant positive regression analyses were
J.B. Adams, C.E. Holloway, F. George, D.W. Quig suspicious remarks about
TEBR Jan, 2006 associations observed between low hair levels of this macro-mineral used in order to assess the actions of others towards 7.744** 7.167*
and problematic behavior as relationship between lead and him/her.
This study assesses the levels of toxic metals and essential minerals in hair samples Odds measured by the Walker Somatization. Reacts to
Associated cadmium exposure status (as stressful situations or
of children with autism spectrum disorders and their mothers compared to controls. Walker Scale Ratio Withdrawal, Distractibility,
Element ascertained through hair changes in routine with
ICP-Mass Spectrometry was used to analyze the elemental content of the hair of (p=<0.05)
Acting-Out, and Total scales. general body aches, head 3.398* 3.826*
elemental analysis) and the or stomache aches, nausea.
children with autism spectrum disorders (n=51), a subset of their mothers (n=29), Acting-Out ↓ Calcium 2.35
With respect to specific presence or absence of each Utters nonsense syllables
neurotypical children (n=40) and a subset of their mothers (n=25). All participants Withdrawal ↓ Calcium 11.92 problem behaviors, distract- and/or babbles to
behavioral symptomatology, 4.533* 6.429*
were recruited from Arizona. ↓ Magnesium 0.06 ibility may be the most
himself/herself.
both before and after Anxiety. Expresses concern
Iodine levels were 45% lower in the children with autism (p=0.005). Autistic Distractibility ↓ Calcium 4.91 affected by mineral status, controlling for the effects of about something terrible or
horrible happening to 12.118** 3.212
children with pica had a 38% lower level of Chromium (p=0.002). The mothers of ↑ Cadmium 7.53 significant associations were social and family status, him/her.
young children with autism had especially low levels of lithium (56% lower, p=0.005), ↑ Manganese 6.77 observed (both before and subject age, and subject sex.
and the young children (ages 3-6) with autism also had low lithium (30% lower, Immaturity ↑ Lead 2.76 after con-sideration of other *p<0.05 **p<0.01
p=0.04). factors) between problem
Disturbed Peer ↑ Zinc 2.86
Relations
behavior of this type and low
calcium, high manganese,
and high cadmium.