UK: Study finds no link between MMR jab and autism

[Guest guest]

This couldn't be a media exercise timed to correspond with Wakefield

s evidence, could it? Oh surely not....

Curious - what does it have to do with " evidence-based scientists " if a

family decides to try and CF, GF diet? How can you have " unregulated use "

of such a diet...??

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/thehealthnews

html?in_article_id=537829 & in_page_id=1797

Study finds no link between MMR jab and autism

Last updated at 07:57am on 18th March 2008

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A new study has found no evidence to support the idea that the MMR jab

damages the intestine and in turn causes autism.

Researchers examined the so-called " leaky gut " theory, which suggests that

vaccines such as the triple Measles, Mumps and Rubella jab can damage the

wall of the intestine.

This causes digestive problems which lead to the production of peptides,

which can damage the brain and possibly cause autism, according to the

theory.

The latest study, from researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Guy's

and St ' Hospital and the University of Edinburgh, found that children

with autism do not produce higher levels of peptides, detectable in their

urine.

Researchers examined 65 boys with autism aged five to 11 and 158 boys acting

as controls, aged four to 11.

The experts found " no significant differences " between the two groups when

it came to levels of peptides.

They said their findings back up earlier studies and claimed theirs is the

first to properly compare children with autism with a control group.

Fears over possible links to autism have been blamed for the lower take up

of the triple jab, when compared to three separate vaccines.

Dr Cass, from Great Ormond Street, said: " It is very distressing to

have a diagnosis of autism, a lifelong condition.

" Many families are driven to try out interventions which currently have no

scientific basis.

" For example, advocates of the leaky gut hypothesis offer children a casein

and gluten-free diet which as yet lacks an evidence base.

" Our research throws serious doubt on the putative scientific basis of that

diet and indicates that further work is needed to understand the role and

outcomes of dietary intervention. "

Gluten is the protein found in wheat while casein is found in dairy products

The study was published in the journal Archives of Diseases in Childhood.

A spokeswoman for the National Autistic Society (NAS) said: " We are aware of

anecdotal support for some dietary interventions, particularly those

involving the exclusion of wheat and dairy products.

" There is limited evidence about whether or not these diets are effective

and concerns have been raised about their unregulated use.

" There is an urgent need for authoritative research into the usefulness of

dietary interventions and the gastrointestinal problems experienced by some

people with autism, to improve our understanding of the condition, to

respond to parents' concerns and to enable us to ensure that there are

appropriate services and support in place to meet people's needs. "