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New Research on Twins Confirms Genetic Role in Autism

By Marie Oser ecomii.com
November 10, 2009
File under: Health, Pregnancy

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There has been an unprecedented increase in recent years in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).  A variety of elements are suspected of playing a role (see our recent post linking environmental toxins to autism). 

Researchers have known that a higher incidence of autism exists among twins¹, and this new study confirms a substantially higher risk of autism in identical twins as compared to fraternal twins.²  The report, published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, studied 277 twin pairs in which at least one had an autistic disorder.

Researchers found that when one identical twin developed an autistic disorder, the other twin did 88 percent of the time. That compared with 31 percent among fraternal twins. Fraternal twins share only 50 percent of their genes and are no more genetically similar than non-twin siblings, unlike identical twins, who share 100 percent of their genes.  …read more of New Research on Twins Confirms Genetic Role in Autism here

 
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10 Environmental Toxins to Avoid

By Marie Oser ecomii.com
October 9, 2009
File under: Health

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While still in the womb, children are exposed to chemicals that can impair normal growth and development. This internal pollution persists as we are exposed to environmental toxins throughout life. Chemicals accumulate and interact within the body, causing illness¹.

The range of maladies include, autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, Tourette syndrome and cerebral palsy. All are believed to be the outcome of some abnormal process that unfolded as the brain was developing in utero or in the young child.

A new study published in the October issue of Pediatrics, estimates the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder to be 1 in every 91 children in the U.S,² an increase from the current estimate of 1 in 150. This ongoing and dramatic increase has many experts investigating the extent of the role environmental toxins may play. …read more of 10 Environmental Toxins to Avoid here

 
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New Study Links Autism to Environmental Toxins

By Marie Oser ecomii.com
August 26, 2009
File under: Health, Pregnancy

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A recent study by researchers at the University of California M.I.N.D. Institute (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) has linked soaring rates of autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with fetal and infant exposure to pesticides and household chemicals.

“It’s time to start looking for the environmental culprits responsible for the remarkable increase in the rate of autism in California,” M.I.N.D. Institute researcher Irva Hertz-Picciotto, an internationally respected autism researcher and professor of environmental and occupational health and epidemiology.

Hertz-Picciotto said that many researchers, state officials and advocacy organizations have viewed the rise in the incidence of autism in California with skepticism. Some claim that the increase could be due to the migration to California of families with autistic children, earlier diagnosis because of increased awareness and also the inclusion of children with milder forms of autism in the counting. …read more of New Study Links Autism to Environmental Toxins here

 
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