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Chelation: Miracle Autism Treatment or ‘Voodoo Medicine’?
Many parents say chelation, a process that removes heavy metals from the body, cures their autistic children. Critics claim a study of the controversial method would be unethical.
30-Second Summary
Some government researchers are pushing for a federal study of chelation in autism, pressured by parents who believe in the method, which is traditionally used to treat lead poisoning.
Using chelation to treat autism is tied to the idea that mercury in vaccines causes autism, a theory unproven by scientific research.
Christina Blakey of Chicago, for instance, says chelation and other alternative therapies helped her eight-year-old autistic son Charlie get over his daily tantrums.
“So many moms have said, `It’s saved my kids,’“ said Dr. Thomas Insel, who directs the National Institute of Mental Health and supports a federal study.
Other scientists disagree. Dr. Paul Offit of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and author of an upcoming book on autism, said federal research agencies must “bring reason to science” without “catering to a public misperception.” Offit and others say a study would be unethical.
Chelation drugs, which can be taken in pill form, include DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid) and EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid). The drugs can now be found in heath food stores, vitamin aisles and Web sites, according to the Los Angles Times.
The drugs are sometimes necessary to treat extreme lead poisoning cases, but its “shocking and worrisome” that such products are sold over the counter, says Dr. Michael Shannon, chief of emergency medicine at Children’s Hospital in Boston.
Without a doctor’s supervision, chelation can wash out important metals, such as iron, calcium and manganese along with mercury and lead.
At least one child’s death has been linked to chelation therapy.
Using chelation to treat autism is tied to the idea that mercury in vaccines causes autism, a theory unproven by scientific research.
Christina Blakey of Chicago, for instance, says chelation and other alternative therapies helped her eight-year-old autistic son Charlie get over his daily tantrums.
“So many moms have said, `It’s saved my kids,’“ said Dr. Thomas Insel, who directs the National Institute of Mental Health and supports a federal study.
Other scientists disagree. Dr. Paul Offit of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and author of an upcoming book on autism, said federal research agencies must “bring reason to science” without “catering to a public misperception.” Offit and others say a study would be unethical.
Chelation drugs, which can be taken in pill form, include DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid) and EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid). The drugs can now be found in heath food stores, vitamin aisles and Web sites, according to the Los Angles Times.
The drugs are sometimes necessary to treat extreme lead poisoning cases, but its “shocking and worrisome” that such products are sold over the counter, says Dr. Michael Shannon, chief of emergency medicine at Children’s Hospital in Boston.
Without a doctor’s supervision, chelation can wash out important metals, such as iron, calcium and manganese along with mercury and lead.
At least one child’s death has been linked to chelation therapy.
Headline Link: ‘Fringe autism treatment could get federal study’
Dr. Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, told the Associated Press that a proposed federal study of chelation in autism has been put on hold because of safety concerns. DMSA, one of the drugs used, can cause side effects including rashes and low white blood count. There have been several lawsuits involving the practice, and one child reportedly died after the treatment, but several thousand children are believed to be using chelation, “their parents not content to wait for a study.”
Source: Chicago Tribune (AP)
Opinion & Analysis: Chelation critics and supporters
“Even when properly used, chelation has its limits,” according to an article in “The Healthy Skeptic” section of the Los Angeles Times. The piece examines the various claims about chelation, including that the process can successfully treat autism. It also looks at analysis from doctors and scientists who believe using chelation is dangerous except in severe lead or mercury poisoning cases, and only then under strict medical supervision.
Source: The Los Angeles Times
An article printed in Autism Research Review International in 2005, however, calls chelation and other alternative autism therapies “very safe, and highly effective.” According to the article, the therapies treat the underlying causes of autism and “make our children healthier, not sicker.”
Source: Autism Research Institute
Background: Boy dies following chelation treatment
Five-year-old Abubakar “Tariq” Nadama died in August 2005 in Pennsylvania, after receiving his third round of chelation treatment for autism in his doctor’s office.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Related Topics: Many aspects of autism still a mystery
Fragile X Syndrome is the leading known cause of autism, but doctors have learned how to fix the gene mutation that causes this little-known disorder, which could lead to new treatments for autism.
Source: findingDulcinea
In March, U.S. government health officials admitted that a string of nine vaccinations administered to Hannah Poling as a toddler exacerbated an underlying condition that led to her developing autism. Following the verdict, however, public health officials were quick to emphasize that child vaccines are safe.
Source: findingDulcinea
Reference: Chelation, vaccines and autism
According to Dr. Jay Hoecker, who writes about chelation and autism on the Mayo Clinic Web site, there is no scientific evidence that chelation therapy is effective for autism. Furthermore, “extensive studies have revealed no evidence of a link between mercury exposure and autism. In addition, chelation therapy is not approved as an autism treatment and can be associated with serious side effects, including liver and kidney damage that can result in death.”
Source: The Mayo Clinic
The National Institutes of Health provides information on the link between vaccines and autism on its Web site. According to the site, some parents believe the Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) vaccine caused their children’s autism, but “To date there is no definite, scientific proof that any vaccine or combination of vaccines can cause autism. It’s important to know that vaccines actually help the immune system to defend the body.”
Source: National Institutes of Health
The findingDulcinea Web Guide to Autism provides information about symptoms and causes of autism, autism diagnosis and treatment, and autism advocacy and resources.
Source: findingDulcinea
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
