Artificial means of fertilization could well be a factor in the increase of problems such as autism and learning disabilities.
CJ Read on: http://report.ca/archive/report/20020415/p47i020415f.html Both studies were published in the March 7 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The first, conducted by Western Australian doctors, found that one in 10 test-tube babies is born with major birth defects, such as cleft palate, heart defects, misformed genitals, undescended testicles, Down's syndrome, dislocated hip or club foot. The study compared 301 infants conceived through ICSI and 837 infants conceived in vitro with 4,000 conceived naturally. All data was collected from Australia's mandatory birth defect reporting registry. At the end of one year, researchers found that about 9% of the infants conceived using reproductive technology had major birth defects, with some suffering multiple defects. The rate among naturally-produced children was 6%. The study's authors took care to note that women undergoing reproductive assistance were less likely to have given birth previously. They tended to be older, and were more likely to require a Caesarean section and to have a low-birth-weight, premature baby. But even after these factors were adjusted for, and researchers restricted their data to single births born at more than 37 weeks' gestation, defects reported in the assisted-conception groups were still well in excess of the 6% major-defect rate in the general population. Additionally, based on small numbers of infants, the researchers noted an "excess" of major cardiovascular, urogenital, chromosomal and musculoskeletal defects associated with IVF and ICSI conception, and suggested further study. Meanwhile, a U.S. study gathered population-based data comparing low-birth-weight (defined as under 2,500 grams) and very low birth weight (under 1,500 grams) infants conceived via reproductive technologies with infants conceived naturally. After studying 42,000 births, researchers concluded that infants conceived through IVF and ICSI had a risk of low birth weight about three-and-a-half times that of naturally conceived infants, putting them at risk for breathing difficulties, brain defects or cognitive problems, anemia, heart abnormalities and the like. Researchers are still trying to establish why birth defects are more likely with reproductive technologies. Various theories have been suggested, including the invasiveness of the procedure; the freezing of embryos, which has been found to reduce the success rate; and the couples' pre-existing fertility problems. Studies casting a negative light on reproductive technologies have been consistently met with criticism or skepticism from fertility doctors, however. Critics of the Australian study suggested babies from that country may simply be more susceptible to genetic defects. Other critics suggested the study lumped all birth defects together, regardless of severity. One doctor, Andrew Watson of the University of Western Ontario, pointed out ICSI could be riskier because it mostly uses sperm from men with low sperm counts, who have increased risk of producing babies with chromosomal defects. http://www.kids-md.net/Tipsheets/66_apr0302/invitro.asp Study Links Birth Defects to In Vitro Fertilization By Tom Atwood CWK Network Many couples who are unable to conceive naturally turn to technology. Pregnancy can be achieved through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (artificial insemination), and also through in vitro fertilization. Until recently, it was unknown whether or not infants conceived with the use of these techniques had a higher risk of birth defects than infants conceived naturally. Now, a new study published in the March 8, 2002, issue of The New England Journal of Medicine finds that infants conceived with the use of assisted reproductive technology are more likely than naturally conceived infants to have birth defects. The research, conducted in Australia, looked at babies born between 1993 and 1997. The study highlights the following findings: Of infants conceived using intracytoplasmic sperm injection, 8.6% (26 out of 301) had a major birth defect diagnosed by 1 year of age. Of infants conceived using in vitro fertilization, 9% (75 out of 837) had a major birth defect by age 1. For naturally conceived babies, the birth defect rate was 4.2% (168 out of 4,000 in the study). The study�s authors conclude: �Infants conceived with the use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection or in vitro fertilization have twice as high a risk of a major birth defect as naturally conceived infants.� The study also found those infants were more likely to have multiple major defects and to have chromosomal and musculoskeletal defects. http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/Harchive/healthy.0502.shtml#invitroDefects In-vitro fertilization may cause birth defects, low birth weight It's been 24 years since the first baby was conceived with the help of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), bringing hope to thousands of childless couples. In 1999 alone, over 30,000 babies were born in America with the help of artificial reproductive technologies (ART), including IVF. Since then, an estimated 300,000 IVF babies have been born worldwide. But this revolutionary way to overcome infertility is not risk-free. Two new studies published in the March 7, 2002, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine suggest that ART babies are more likely to be born with birth defects and low birth weights than newborns conceived naturally. In IVF the man's sperm and the women's egg are combined in a laboratory dish. After fertilization, the resulting embryo is then transferred to the women's uterus to develop naturally. A special IVF procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where the sperm is injected directly into the egg, can also be used for severe male infertility. ARTs, including IVF, increase the risk of multiple births because several embryos are usually transferred to the uterus at one time to increase the probability of a successful pregnancy. But this practice is controversial because multiple births are associated with low birth weight, which puts the newborn at an increased risk for short- and long-term disabilities and even death. However, in one of the new studies, researchers with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control found that even ART babies born alone were 2.6 times as likely to have a low birth weight than a naturally conceived single infant. In the other study, Australian researchers found that about 9% of the 301 IVF babies studied had birth defects, such as heart trouble, stunted limbs, Down syndrome, and cleft palate, compared to only 4.2% of the 4,000 naturally conceived babies studied. The risk was still more than doubled when multiple births were not considered. Neither these nor previous studies have been able to identify whether the reason for the excess risk of low birth weight and birth defects is related to the underlying infertility itself or to the procedures and drugs used to overcome it. To many advocates of assisted reproduction, the results of these studies aren't necessarily frightening, but reassuring. They look at them and celebrate that more than 90% of IVF babies are born healthy. But regardless of the interpretation of the numbers, couples looking for help with fertility should consider these risks. http://www.suntimes.com/special_sections/baby/cst-ftr-goodscience21.html >>Another controversial new technique can repair defective eggs, allowing older women to have children with their own eggs. It's called cytoplasmic transfer. In some older women, the eggs have normal chromosomes but fail to divide after fertilization. The problem appears to be in the cytoplasm, the part of the cell lying outside the nucleus. Cytoplasm contains mitochondria, which provide the energy for cell division. In cytoplasmic transfer, cytoplasm from a healthy donor egg is transferred to a defective egg. The technique enables a woman to give birth to a child with her own genes. But since mitochondria contain DNA, the child receives snippets of genetic material from the donor. The child, in effect, has three genetic parents. "It doesn't seem genetically clean to me," Molo said. "I'm sort of old-fashioned." Since 1998, at least 24 babies have been born from mothers using the technique. St. Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey, which pioneered cytoplasmic transfer, is responsible for 16 births. One was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder, a form of autism, at 18 months. During pregnancies, two fetuses had Turner's syndrome, a severe genetic disease that affects girls. One was miscarried; the other was aborted. Neither Turner's syndrome nor pervasive developmental disorders are rare, said Dr. David Sable of St. Barnabas. Turner's syndrome causes about 8 percent of miscarriages. Sable doubts cytoplasmic transfer caused the disorders, but said it's impossible to be certain because there are not yet enough cases to do a conclusive statistical analysis. Sable said concerns about genetic makeup are overblown. Mitochondrial DNA from the mother and the donor are nearly identical. Moreover, mitochondrial DNA is not involved in traits that give a person individuality, such as eye color and intelligence, he said. Nevertheless, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration temporarily halted cytoplasmic transfers last year. Before clinics are allowed to resume, they will have to prove the technique is safe and effective. In the meantime, there's not much else on the horizon.<< http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/3875868.htm Parents demand autism programs A coalition says autistic people are not served by efforts aimed at those with mental disabilities. By Stacey Burling Inquirer Staff Writer About 20 parent groups have formed a coalition to fight for better services for autistic children and adults, who they say are now served poorly by programs aimed primarily at mentally ill or mentally retarded people. "Folks with autism have been on no one's radar screen," said Nina Cote, a Chadds Ford social worker who is president of the new organization, the Pennsylvania Action Coalition for Autism Services. "We would like a recognition that services right now are not meeting their needs." The group began meeting in the spring to fight proposals to reduce mental-health services for school-age children with behavioral problems. It will incorporate this month, Cote said. It encompasses organizations from across the state. Autistic-spectrum disorders, which include autism, pervasive development disorder, and Asperger's syndrome, are developmental disabilities caused by neurological dysfunction. Usually diagnosed in early childhood, these disorders are characterized by problems in social interaction and communication and a need for repetitive behavior. Estimates of the prevalence of the disorders vary widely and accurate statistics for the United States are not available, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Studies done in Europe and Asia found the disorders in 2 to 6 of every 1,000 children. Although autistic children can have normal to high IQs, experts say that about 70 percent are mentally retarded. Some parents dispute that figure, maintaining that the communication problems inherent in autism make it difficult to measure IQ. Children with Asperger's syndrome usually have normal IQs, with some scoring above average. The number of children diagnosed with autism is increasing rapidly. No one knows why. Cote, whose 12-year-old son Matthew is autistic, believes it is partly that children now being called autistic might once have gotten a different label. But she believes another, unknown factor is also at work. According to state Department of Education records, the number of autistic children rose from 252 in the 1990-91 school year to 3,540 in 2000-01. During the same time period, the number of children identified as mentally retarded dropped by 6,629. Cote and members of her group say the state needs to develop programs aimed specifically at autism. Marilyn Eckley, director of the office of policy for the state Department of Public Welfare, said services for people with autism are an "emerging issue." The state currently is exploring how to improve care for this group and will provide a report to the new governor, she said. State Rep. Dennis O'Brien (R., Philadelphia), who has a 16-year-old autistic nephew and considers himself a member of the new coalition, wants a standardized process for diagnosing kids with autism, better training for the people who work with them, and a treatment system based on more up-to-date research. "There's really virtually no services for autistic kids in Pennsylvania," O'Brien said. "It was always 'the next thing' that Pennsylvania was going to get to. We don't want it to be 'the next thing' anymore." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact Stacey Burling at 215-854-4944 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------- http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/news/special/environment/hazard/youthrisk.shtml Read News Journal coverage every day. Subscribe now online or call 850-435-8574. PUBLISHED SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2001 Developmental disorders on the rise among youths Return to Hidden Hazard main page Complete Toxics Release Inventory Jenny LaCoste @PensacolaNewsJournal.com Ron Knowlton has a dual role in his classroom at Escambia Westgate Education Center. He is part-time teacher and part-time detective. "You have to be to find out what they need," said Knowlton, who has taught autistic children for the past 10 years. "They know what they want but they can't communicate it to you." Autism is a severe developmental disorder that undermines its victims' ability to connect with the world around them. Autistic children may be severely mentally retarded or may have an above- normal IQ. It's just one of several problems - like aggression, dyslexia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - increasingly affecting the nation's children. In Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, educators are seeing a steady trend of increasing numbers of children with such disorders. "The autistic rate is a concern. It just keeps doubling," said Child Find specialist Brenda Robinson. Renfroe Dr. Ben Renfroe, a Pensacola children's neurologist, said developmental problems have a range of causes, including exposure to pollutants. "There are proven instances where exposure to hard metals caused sickness or disabilities," Renfroe said. "Alcohol use during pregnancy, exposure to mercury or pesticides - all can be factors." The problems are manifested in a variety of ways: from a child who may have difficulty learning because he can't seem to sit still to an autistic child who won't speak or even make eye contact. According to Renfroe, even children with the most severe disorders can learn to some extent and the trick is to find what works for the individual child. "A child that can't focus in a full classroom with all the distractions may be able to succeed in a different setting," he said. Yvonne Gray, Escambia County School District director of special education, said autism is not the only affliction on the rise. School officials also are seeing more students with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders, too. For teachers like Knowlton, finding what works for each individual student is his biggest challenge. Most of the children in his class do not speak. The ones that do can be incoherent. They often merely mimic what is said to them. It's Knowlton's job to try to get them to interact. "Most children are intrinsically motivated. They'll respond to a pat on the head, a hug, a cheery voice," he said. "But these children don't. They're in a world of their own. They don't reach out to another person unless there's something they want bad enough and they can't get it for themselves." Rhonda Martin, who has taught emotionally handicapped and autistic children for 12 years, said teachers have to be creative in finding ways to communicate. "We can communicate with gestures or symbols," Martin said. "They may be able to recognize words and read, but not be able to respond to you." Martin said one of her students, a 13-year-old boy who does not speak, recently began communicating by writing. "He just started that out of the blue. We didn't even know he could write," she said. "He can write a whole page of what he wants, but he can't say it." Autism rates increasing Disorders such as autism are on the rise in Escambia County and across the nation. Nationally, demand for government services for autistic disorders rose by 556 percent during the 1990s. Experts say autism now affects one person in 500, making it more common than Down syndrome or childhood cancer. Children receiving special services for autism through the Escambia and Santa Rosa County school districts: Escambia 1995: 37 (enrollment - 45,013) 1998: 61 (enrollment - 45,667) 1999: 70 (enrollment - 45,088) Santa Rosa 1995: 7 (enrollment - 19,845) 1998: 6 (enrollment - 22,022) 1999: 22 (enrollment - 22,136) More children need help This school year more than 7,000 children in Escambia County and 4,345 children in Santa Rosa County are classified by the public school system as mentally or emotionally handicapped, sensory or orthopedically impaired, or developmentally delayed. In Escambia County, other special education categories continue to grow at a significant rate: Developmentally delayed 1996: 51 1997: 63 1998: 72 1999: 111 Other health-impaired 1996: 2 1997: 12 1998: 27 1999: 66 - Source: Escambia and Santa Rosa counties school districts ------------------------------ http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2000/suppl-3/401-404london/abstract.html The Environment as an Etiologic Factor in Autism: A New Direction for Research Eric London1,2 and Ruth A. Etzel3 1The National Alliance for Autism Research, Princeton, New Jersey, USA; 2University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA; 3Division of Epidemiology and Risk Assessment, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Washington, D.C., USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract Autism is one of a group of developmental disorders that have devastating lifelong effects on its victims. Despite the severity of the disease and the fact that it is relatively common (15 in 10,000), there is still little understanding of its etiology. Although believed to be highly genetic, no abnormal genes have been found. Recent findings in autism and in related disorders point to the possibility that the disease is caused by a gene-environment interaction. Epidemiologic studies indicate that the number of cases of autism is increasing dramatically each year. It is not clear whether this is due to a real increase in the disease or whether this is an artifact of ascertainment. A new theory regarding the etiology of autism suggests that it may be a disease of very early fetal development (approximately day 20-24 of gestation). This theory has initiated new lines of investigation into developmental genes. Environmental exposures during pregnancy could cause or contribute to autism based on the neurobiology of these genes. Key words: autism, autism epidemiology, autism etiology, children, developmental disorders, retinoids, gene-environment interaction, Hox genes. -- Environ Health Perspect 108(suppl 3):401-404 (2000). http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2000/suppl-3/401-404london/abstract.html http://www.iom.edu/iom/iomhome.nsf/WFiles/El-Dahr/$file/El-Dahr.PDF Potential Sources of Exposure [I cite these because I wonder if such contamination is a possiblity in, for example, in vitro fertilization--CJ] ・ For a fetus or infant, the main sources of exposure to mercury would be: ‐ Maternal amalgams ‐ Maternal fish consumption ‐ Ear drops, saline nasal drops, OTC products ‐ Vaccines ・ Rho-gam Rh- mothers: 3% general population, 12% Autistic children, 10% PDD-NOS (Juul-Dam 2001) Rh incompatibility associated with a high risk of developmental delays (Bolton 1997) ・ Influenza vaccine during pregnancy CDC recommends flu vax for all pregnant women who will be in the 2 nd or 3 rd trimester during flu season (MMWR 7/13/01) ・ Childhood immunizations Thimerosal-containing DTaP still being distributed and sold in US as of 4/25/01 although no longer manufactured. -------------------------------- http://www.nature.com/nsu/020429/020429-13.html Autism is also is being explored for links with mosaicism. In unpublished research, Susan Folstein of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston examined autistic children under ultraviolet light and found that as many as 10% of them had pronounced Blaschko's lines. She suspects that a mosaic patch of brain cells, unable to migrate or communicate with its neighbours, might be what causes some cases of autism. But until an underlying mutation can be found, the idea remains unproven. Given the intriguing results that are starting to emerge, researchers who have studied chimaerism and mosaicism are keen to spread the word so that more attention is paid to the clinical significance of the conditions. At present, they say, most doctors and clinical geneticists are simply not looking. http://www.bizspacehealthcare.com/autism.htm __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Y! Web Hosting - Let the expert host your web site http://webhosting.yahoo.com/
