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November 25, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Mystery of Autism Now Includes Some Hope"

Chicago Tribune (www.chicagotribune.com) (11/24/02) P. Q14; Thompson, Mariko

The spectrum disorder known as autism can take a variety of forms ranging from mild to those requiring long-term care, and the number of children diagnosed with autism has increased greatly during the past decade.  Early intervention can help, but it is sometimes difficult to get a child diagnosed at an early enough age.  According to experts, there are probably multiple causes of autism, including heredity.  Despite research to the contrary, one persistent theory holds the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine responsible for some cases.  A new Danish study of 500,000 children found no link between the vaccine and autism, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the number of cases of autism has climbed while the number of children receiving the vaccination has not.

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