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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the term for a group of complex disorders of brain development
ASD includes autism, Asperger disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder
Characterized by: difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
No confirmed cause of autism
Undiagnosed until age 3 Increasing at a rate of
14-20% per year in the US and Canada
The same diagnostic techniques have been used for 20 years; increase due to environmental factors
STUDY PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS
Purpose: compare the rates of autism for the 50 States of America with the published measures of infant nutrition (duration of exclusive breastfeeding, WIC program participation, etc.) to link the possible cause of autism to nutrition
Hypothesis: Better nutrition practices (WHO recommendations) during infant feeding and development associated with lower rates of autism
METHOD: ECOLOGICAL STUDY DESIGN
Ecological study: study that averages the impact of risk-modifying factors on health outcomes for populations defined either geographically or temporally
Population: 50 states Risk-modifying factors: possible
environmental/nutritional causes of autism (thiamine, vitamin D, MMR shot)
METHODS AND DATA: AUTISM RATES
For comparison among states, rates needed to be established
2000 US census; number of autism cases divided by the number of individuals age 3-21 living in a particular state at the time of the 2000
AUTISM RATES COMPARED WITH…
Per capita income WIC program participation percentage Percentage of breastfeeding Solar irradiation (vitamin D exposure) Average of children receiving their measles,
mumps, and rubella (MMR) shots from 2001-2004
DATA: WIC PROGRAM AND BREASTFEEDING
WIC program participation listed by state by the US Department of Agriculture
Program helps women make nutritious choices; breastfeeding women can stay in program longer than non-breastfeeding mothers
CDC lists breastfeeding by state; categorized into 1)ever breastfeeding 2) 6 mo exclusive 3) 12 mo exclusive
RESULTS
Per-capita income correlated to autism (r=-0.54 p<0.001)
Greater income = ability to afford more nutritious food and health care
WIC children considerably less likely to have autism than non-WIC children
CASES OF AUTISM VS.WIC PARTICIPATION
The autism rate from 2000–2003 and the percentage of WIC participation in 50 states in 2004. The correlation is −0.37 with a probability of <0.02.
EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AND AUTISM
Positive correlation found between 6 months exclusive breastfeeding and the autism rates for 2000-2003
Infants exclusively breastfed for 1 year also had higher correlation
No significant correlation for 3 months exclusive breastfeeding
THE TOTAL AUTISM CASES AND THE AVERAGE PERCENTAGE OF EXCLUSIVE 6-MONTH BREAST-FEEDING IN THE UNITED STATES FROM 2000–2004
BREAST MILK VS. COWS’ MILK
Ecological link of breastfeeding to autism observed
Compared levels of thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin D in breast milk with cows’ milk (derived from National Dairy Council)
Breast milk had markedly lower amounts of the 3 vitamins
Different study (Lonsdale and Shamberger) found an improvement in older autistic children treated with a thiamine derivative
DISCUSSION
Results show ecological statistical links between autism and infant nutrition
WIC provides low-income mothers with important vitamin source for infants
Breast milk in combination with nutritious food lowers autism risk
DISCUSSION
Correlation between solar energy exposure and autism not significant; study concluded vitamin D not a factor in autism
No correlation between MMR shots and autism rates
DISCUSSION
Longer the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, the greater the correlation with autism
A lack of thiamine or riboflavin could result in autism
Mothers who breastfeed should take prenatal vitamins and eat a diet high in B-vitamin-rich food