Shots and Autism

[Jessie81]

DS is going for his 9mos shots at the end of the month. DH and I are really worried about the shots/autism debate. I have tried to do research but its all so complicated! Does anyone understand this stuff and could give thoughts/advice?

[DecemberBaby]

I asked my pedi her opinion and she said there is a correlation between the shots and autism. Meaning it is not cause and effect. She also said that the patients she has that are autistic have not had their shots. She also said the risk seems to decrease if you your give the MMR separately Measles mumps rubella....

Does this help?

[Stephanie]

Before you make your decision, I would research to discover what is best for you and your family. Be careful to look at both sides, and try to find some middle ground. The topic tends to be hotly debated, and the research very one sided. It is good to look at everything.

The recent lawsuit, was linked to a vaccine triggering a gene that was predisposed to autism. Someone please correct me if I had mis-read or misunderstood. My understanding is that some reseach is showing, in some cases, that a gene or group of genes that is responsible for autism can start with environmental triggers, including shots and viruses. Again, someone please correct me if I am wrong, this is my understanding of that specific law case.

[Bama_5]

Refuse the shots until you've decided what you want to do (non-vax, delay vax, split the shots up into single ones instead of the popular method of combining them, etc). You'll have be firm that you do not want shots administered at this particular (or future) visits until you've made up your mind. The way I see it, you can always get the shots later. But, you can't take the shots out and change your method so, as long as you are not certain, do nothing.

That is my advice whether we are talking vaccines or any other major decision whether baby related or just in general.

Do your research. Take what the doc gives you as part of the research but don't throw up your hands and just do whatever someone (be it mom, nurse, doc or stranger on the net) said is best. FInd your peace with a decision before following through with that decision.

HTH,

Bama_5

[jaw1574]

I agree with Bama_5!

[steelady]

Before you make your decision, I would research to discover what is best for you and your family. Be careful to look at both sides, and try to find some middle ground. The topic tends to be hotly debated, and the research very one sided. It is good to look at everything.

The recent lawsuit, was linked to a vaccine triggering a gene that was predisposed to autism. Someone please correct me if I had mis-read or misunderstood. My understanding is that some reseach is showing, in some cases, that a gene or group of genes that is responsible for autism can start with environmental triggers, including shots and viruses. Again, someone please correct me if I am wrong, this is my understanding of that specific law case.

The recent court case involved a mitochondrial (sp?) defect that triggered "autistic like" symptoms in the child; they stated she did not truly have Autism, IIRC. I don't recall how rare or common such a defect was.

Autism is not a single disease or condition. It is a description of symptoms that can and do have multiple causes (though most are not known). There is strong evidence to support a genetic component, as well as it being an auto-immune response of some sort. In short (to the best of my understanding, I'm not a professional who has studied this), autism is lack of working neural pathways between the frontal lobe and the Amygdala. Now these pathyways may be blocked (toxins, allergies) or damaged (external, internal).

There are different types, regressive, infantile (classic), etc.

Personally, I would look at the genetics (cousins'/siblings' reactions to shots), and other indicators (there is some correlation between parents with auto-immune problems and kids on the spectrum) and balance that with the potential down side of the child (and others in his/her family) getting the disease (if a vax is not given).

FTR-ds has autism that "started" before the MMR. He is nearly fully vax'd, mostly on schedule. He does have a reaction to dairy which impacts his autism greatly.

[Amy_G_]

It would be easy if the MMR was the reason for autism.
then we'd quit giving MMRor other vaccines and the cases of autism would go down or stop and that would be that.
However, it's not so simple. If vaccines the cause we would not see autism in communities that do not vaccinate, but that is not the case. and as people selectively vaccinate or refuse vaccinations, the rastes of autism continue to rise.

It seems most likely to be a genetic issue, may or may not be triggered by somethingenvironmental--and if so, our environment has a lot of issue, the least of which is the contaminants in vaccines.

the one mitrocondrial defect that showed autism like symptoms after vaccination is very rare.

[Peanut1207]

The VAccine Book by Dr. Sears has really good shot info. It discusses the diseases, what the risks are, whats in the vaccine, what the risk of the vaccine is, etc. It also has some alternate schedules that might help ease your mind. I too was very nervous about shots...I'm not sure I think they "cause" autism but I do think that 5 shots at 2 months old is too many. We have an alternate plan that I'm very happy with...the doctor was NOT happy though. I stuck to my guns and came in with a schedule and he's been okay with it. Its your child and your choice. Good luck!