I was watching our local news and evidently they have results from a study that shows a link between premature babies and autism. This is what was posted on their website:
"There's growing evidence linking pre-term birth with autism.
A new study found one in five toddlers born more than three months early showed signs of the disorder by age two.
Scientists note premature birth may not directly cause the increased risk. Instead, it's possible that whatever causes autism may also force an early delivery."
I did some research on the study and it was done on sick children who were screened for autism. If you look at the statistics I am sure you will find that the majority of children with autism were born normal and healthy... not preterm. The results are a bit misleading. I found that children who are born at least three months early will weigh no more than three pounds. I had a friend whose baby was 26 weeks and he only weighed about 1 1/2 pounds. Believe it or not, he survived! It was truly a miracle. However, most children who are born at least three months early are going to have difficulty at birth and are going to require a lot of medical intervention to survive. I just think there are too many factors involved in that study and it is flawed.
The possible link is an interesting theory. However, I have been saying this and I will continue to say this... when a child is born premature then they are more susceptible to many things. Unfortunately, they don't delay vaccines even in premature babies! They inject them with all sorts of things. I went to the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) website and got the actual schedule for preterm infants. Here is the website: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;112/1/193
It basically states: "Medically stable PT and LBW infants should receive all routinely recommended childhood vaccines at the same chronologic age as recommended for FT infants. Under most circumstances, gestational age at birth and birth weight should not be limiting factors when deciding whether a PT or LBW infant is to be immunized on schedule. Infants with birth weight less than 2000 g, however, may require modification of the timing of hepatitis B immunoprophylaxis depending on maternal HBsAg status.
Dosing
Vaccine dosages normally given to FT infants should not be reduced or divided when given to PT and LBW infants. Although studies have shown decreased immune responses to some vaccines given to VLBW, ELBW, and very early gestational age (<29 weeks) neonates, most PT infants produce sufficient vaccine-induced immunity to prevent disease when full doses are given. The severity of vaccine-preventable diseases in PT and LBW infants precludes any delay in initiating the administration of these vaccines."
That is so interesting to me... very interesting indeed. I looked it up and 2000 g is equal to 70.5 ounces. That is equal to 4.4 pounds and that would be the cut-off at which they would delay JUST the Hepatitis vaccine. Can you imagine giving a baby THAT small a Hepatitis vaccine, a flu vaccine (which still contains mercury), Rotavirus vaccine, DTap (which is really 3 vaccines in one), Hib, Pneumococcal, AND Polio?!!! Those would be all the vaccines that would be due starting at 6 weeks to 2 months. In my opinion that is not enough time for the baby to gain enough weight and the strength in immunity to withstand all the toxins in vaccines. Also, what about the moms? I wonder how many of them received the Flu Vaccine while pregnant? I would love to find out how many babies who are born less than 4.4 pounds at birth end up with autism in comparison with those who weigh more? That could provide more proof to my theory. However, there are SO many factors involved in studying preterm infants. I know they are trying to figure out why it seems there is an increase in preterm infants. I am not sure what the statistics are, but one of my friends who has had a couple preterm infants told me that her nurse said they have seen an increase of babies born prematurely and ending up in the NICU. There has to be a cause for that, I am sure... but I am not convinced that whatever causes autism is the cause of preterm labor.
In Wikipedia it says, "In Europe and many developed countries the preterm birth rate is generally 5-9%, and in the USA it has even risen to 12-13% in the last decades." They should do a study and find out why our rates are so much higher than Europe. We obviously have great medical care in the United States... hehe...(sarcastic tone).. I found an AWESOME article in The New York Times online and I URGE you to read it!! It is entitled: "A Lesson From Europe on Healthcare" and it is not too long, but it says millions! It was written by David Leonhardt and talks about his experience with hernia surgery in the United States and what happened when he ended up in Greece and had to have medical care. He was able to compare and contrast the experiences he had and the results will shock you!! This is the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/18/business/18leonhardt.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
My grandparents complain about the medical care they receive here versus the medical care they received in Puerto Rico. Although the wait is longer, the facilities are not as clean, and the people are not as nice sometimes... the amount of testing and the PREVENTIVE medicine they do over there is superior to here. Although Puerto Rico is part of the United States they have a lot of European influence. I think we could learn a thing or two from Europe.
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I would also like the scientific
community to do a study on the
correlation between the health of
the mother and THAT link to autism
and other neurological/behavioral
disorders.
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