Guest guest Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 They make it sound so conclusive and absolute. I would bet any money this does not relate to my child. His head is 55% and he is just slightly above average weight, nothing significant. Well if the genetic theory doesn't work, try hormone imbalances. Does anyone on the list take their child to a pediatric endicronologist???? If so what tests are done??? --- Maurine Meleck <maurine_meleck@...> wrote: > I don't know about any of you, but my guy certainly > doesn't fit their catagory-he's VERY small for his > age and until we used actos he had not gained a > pound in 2 and a half years. > I wonder how reliable this NIH study is? > maurine > > hhofher@... wrote: > > > > National Institute of Child Health > and Human Development (NICHD) FOR > IMMEDIATE RELEASE > Friday, June 22, 2007 > > --------------------------------- > CONTACT: > Bock > or nne Glass > 301-496-5133 > > Boys with Autism, Related Disorders, Have High > Levels of Growth Hormones > Boys with autism and autism spectrum disorder had > higher levels of hormones involved with growth in > comparison to boys who do not have autism, reported > researchers from the National Institutes of Health, > the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the > Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the University > Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine. > The researchers believe that the higher hormone > levels might explain the greater head circumference > seen in many children with autism. Earlier studies > had reported that many children with autism have > very rapid head growth in early life, leading to a > proportionately larger head circumference than > children who do not have autism. > The researchers found that, in addition to a > larger head circumference, the boys with autism and > autism spectrum disorder who took part in the > current study were heavier than boys without these > conditions. > “The study authors have uncovered a promising > new lead in the quest to understand autism,†said > Duane , M.D., Director of the National > Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the > NIH institute that funded the study. “Future > research will determine whether the higher hormone > levels the researchers observed are related to > abnormal head growth as well as to other features of > autism.†> Autism is a complex developmental disorder that > includes problems with social interaction and > communication. The term autism spectrum disorder > (ASD) refers to individuals who have a less severe > form of autism. > The study was published on line in Clinical > Endocrinology. > The researchers compared the height, weight, head > circumference and levels of growth-related hormones > to growth and maturation in 71 boys with autism and > with ASD to a group of 59 boys who did not have > these conditions. > The investigators found that the boys with autism > had higher levels of two hormones that directly > regulate growth (insulin-like growth factors 1 and > 2). These growth-related hormones stimulate cellular > growth. The researchers did not measure the boys’ > levels of human growth hormone, which for technical > reasons is difficult to evaluate. > The boys with autism also had higher levels of > other hormones related to growth, such as > insulin-like growth factor binding protein and > growth hormone binding protein. > In addition to greater head circumference, the > boys with autism and those with autism spectrum > disorders weighed more and had a higher body mass > index (BMI). BMI is a ratio of a person’s weight > and height. A higher BMI often indicates that a > person is overweight or obese. The boys’ higher > BMI may be related to their higher hormone levels, > said the study’s principal investigator, NICHD’s > L. Mills, M.D., a senior investigator in the > Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention > Research’s Epidemiology Branch. Dr. Mills and his > coworkers also found that there was no difference in > height between the two groups of boys. > The levels of growth-related hormones were > significantly higher in the boys with autism even > after the researchers compensated for the fact that > higher levels of these hormones would be expected in > children with a greater BMI. > “The higher growth-related hormone levels are > not a result of the boys with autism simply being > heavier,†said Dr. Mills. > While it has long been noted that many children > with autism have a larger head circumference than > other children, few studies have investigated > whether these children are also taller and heavier, > Dr. Mills added. > Researchers analyzed medical records and blood > samples from 71 boys diagnosed with autism and ASD > who were patients at Cincinnati Children’s > Hospital Medical Center from March 2002 to February > 2004. The researchers compared the information on > the boys with autism and autism spectrum disorders > to other boys treated for other conditions at the > hospital and who do not have autism. Children with > conditions that may have affected their growth — > such as being born severely premature, long-term > illness, or the genetic condition Fragile X were not > included in the study. Girls are much less likely to > develop autism than are boys, and the researchers > were unable to recruit a sufficient number of girls > with autism to participate in the study. > Dr. Mills explained that the bone age of the boys > with autism — the bone development assessed by > taking X-rays and comparing the size and shape of > the bones to similarly-aged children — were not > more advanced in the group of boys with autism. For > this reason, Dr. Mills and his coworkers ruled out > the possibility that they were merely maturing more > rapidly than were the other boys. > Dr. Mills said that future studies could > investigate whether the higher levels of growth > hormones seen in children with autism could be > directly related to the development of the condition > itself. > The NICHD sponsors research on development, before > and after birth; maternal, child, and family health; > reproductive biology and population issues; and > medical rehabilitation. For more information, visit > the Institute’s Web site at > http://www.nichd.nih.gov/. > The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The > Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes 27 > Institutes and Centers and is a component of the > U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is > the primary federal agency for conducting and > supporting basic, clinical and translational medical > research, and it investigates the causes, > treatments, and cures for both common and rare > diseases. For more information about NIH and its > programs, visit www.nih.gov. > > > --------------------------------- > > > > > > --------------------------------- > See what's free at AOL.com. > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Finding fabulous fares is fun. > Let FareChase search your favorite travel > sites to find flight and hotel bargains. ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. Visit the Auto Green Center. http://autos./green_center/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Maurine, I agree with you. My son is small for his age too. KeelaMaurine Meleck <maurine_meleck@...> wrote: I don't know about any of you, but my guy certainly doesn't fit their catagory-he's VERY small for his age and until we used actos he had not gained a pound in 2 and a half years. I wonder how reliable this NIH study is? maurinehhofheraol wrote: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFriday, June 22, 2007 CONTACT: Bockor nne Glass 301-496-5133 Boys with Autism, Related Disorders, Have High Levels of Growth Hormones Boys with autism and autism spectrum disorder had higher levels of hormones involved with growth in comparison to boys who do not have autism, reported researchers from the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine. The researchers believe that the higher hormone levels might explain the greater head circumference seen in many children with autism. Earlier studies had reported that many children with autism have very rapid head growth in early life, leading to a proportionately larger head circumference than children who do not have autism. The researchers found that, in addition to a larger head circumference, the boys with autism and autism spectrum disorder who took part in the current study were heavier than boys without these conditions. “The study authors have uncovered a promising new lead in the quest to understand autism,†said Duane , M.D., Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the NIH institute that funded the study. “Future research will determine whether the higher hormone levels the researchers observed are related to abnormal head growth as well as to other features of autism.†Autism is a complex developmental disorder that includes problems with social interaction and communication. The term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to individuals who have a less severe form of autism. The study was published on line in Clinical Endocrinology. The researchers compared the height, weight, head circumference and levels of growth-related hormones to growth and maturation in 71 boys with autism and with ASD to a group of 59 boys who did not have these conditions. The investigators found that the boys with autism had higher levels of two hormones that directly regulate growth (insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2). These growth-related hormones stimulate cellular growth. The researchers did not measure the boys’ levels of human growth hormone, which for technical reasons is difficult to evaluate. The boys with autism also had higher levels of other hormones related to growth, such as insulin-like growth factor binding protein and growth hormone binding protein. In addition to greater head circumference, the boys with autism and those with autism spectrum disorders weighed more and had a higher body mass index (BMI). BMI is a ratio of a person’s weight and height. A higher BMI often indicates that a person is overweight or obese. The boys’ higher BMI may be related to their higher hormone levels, said the study’s principal investigator, NICHD’s L. Mills, M.D., a senior investigator in the Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research’s Epidemiology Branch. Dr. Mills and his coworkers also found that there was no difference in height between the two groups of boys. The levels of growth-related hormones were significantly higher in the boys with autism even after the researchers compensated for the fact that higher levels of these hormones would be expected in children with a greater BMI. “The higher growth-related hormone levels are not a result of the boys with autism simply being heavier,†said Dr. Mills. While it has long been noted that many children with autism have a larger head circumference than other children, few studies have investigated whether these children are also taller and heavier, Dr. Mills added. Researchers analyzed medical records and blood samples from 71 boys diagnosed with autism and ASD who were patients at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center from March 2002 to February 2004. The researchers compared the information on the boys with autism and autism spectrum disorders to other boys treated for other conditions at the hospital and who do not have autism. Children with conditions that may have affected their growth — such as being born severely premature, long-term illness, or the genetic condition Fragile X were not included in the study. Girls are much less likely to develop autism than are boys, and the researchers were unable to recruit a sufficient number of girls with autism to participate in the study. Dr. Mills explained that the bone age of the boys with autism — the bone development assessed by taking X-rays and comparing the size and shape of the bones to similarly-aged children — were not more advanced in the group of boys with autism. For this reason, Dr. Mills and his coworkers ruled out the possibility that they were merely maturing more rapidly than were the other boys. Dr. Mills said that future studies could investigate whether the higher levels of growth hormones seen in children with autism could be directly related to the development of the condition itself. The NICHD sponsors research on development, before and after birth; maternal, child, and family health; reproductive biology and population issues; and medical rehabilitation. For more information, visit the Institute’s Web site at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov. See what's free at AOL.com. Finding fabulous fares is fun.Let FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains. Shape in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 I just can't get it out of my head that there's something fishy about this study and their reason for doing it. I keep repeating this because I want to keep an eye on the follow-up to this research. For one, I've seen reports that enlarged head circumference among ASD kids isn't universal, though it's a favorite generalization of the " genes-only " camp. The " genes only " theory (naturally including the idea that kids are " born " autistic) is that effected kids are born with small heads and head growth excellerates after birth for " unknown reasons " (like, uh, encephalopathic response to vaccine components anyone?). I think they're trying to find a reason which would distract from the vaccine-induced theory. I just don't trust the NIH. They barely do a thing unless it supports the sale of some pharmaceutical company product. I also think it's weird that elevated insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and elevated insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) may possibly be signs of pre-diabetic conditions. I'm not yet clear on how they are responsible for actual " growth " - as the study says, the ASD children were not taller, just bulkier in some way (not my impression either when I think of the ASD kids I've seen). Someone here kindly wrote a marvelous tutorial about the roles these substances play in glucose regulation. Elevated IGF and IGFBP can apparently be caused by: -poor diet and lack of excercise (the kids in these studies were probably not on a special altmed diet and may have suffered from malabsorbtion and/or had limited, carb-heavy diets), which could contribute to elevated BMI (and the reverse, which should have evened things out). - maybe vaccines or other environmental toxins which effect immune system/glucose regulation (someone also kindly sent me some research sites supporting this idea). Obesity rates have risen with vaccine injuries. - most atypical antipsychotics (the use of which has increased up to 100%, just in the period since Risperdal was approved for ASD children last December), which also raise BMI as well as IGF and IGFBP (on the way to causing drug-induced diabetes). I don't think the NIH intends for the Ohio study to support vaccine- induced autism theories. Any of the above skewing factors could have been present in the study and not reported. > > > > > > > > National Institute of Child Health > > and Human Development (NICHD) FOR > > IMMEDIATE RELEASE > > Friday, June 22, 2007 > > > > --------------------------------- > > CONTACT: > > Bock > > or nne Glass > > 301-496-5133 > > > > Boys with Autism, Related Disorders, Have High > > Levels of Growth Hormones > > Boys with autism and autism spectrum disorder had > > higher levels of hormones involved with growth in > > comparison to boys who do not have autism, reported > > researchers from the National Institutes of Health, > > the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the > > Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the University > > Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine. > > The researchers believe that the higher hormone > > levels might explain the greater head circumference > > seen in many children with autism. Earlier studies > > had reported that many children with autism have > > very rapid head growth in early life, leading to a > > proportionately larger head circumference than > > children who do not have autism. > > The researchers found that, in addition to a > > larger head circumference, the boys with autism and > > autism spectrum disorder who took part in the > > current study were heavier than boys without these > > conditions. > > “The study authors have uncovered a promising > > new lead in the quest to understand autism,†said > > Duane , M.D., Director of the National > > Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the > > NIH institute that funded the study. “Future > > research will determine whether the higher hormone > > levels the researchers observed are related to > > abnormal head growth as well as to other features of > > autism.†> > Autism is a complex developmental disorder that > > includes problems with social interaction and > > communication. The term autism spectrum disorder > > (ASD) refers to individuals who have a less severe > > form of autism. > > The study was published on line in Clinical > > Endocrinology. > > The researchers compared the height, weight, head > > circumference and levels of growth-related hormones > > to growth and maturation in 71 boys with autism and > > with ASD to a group of 59 boys who did not have > > these conditions. > > The investigators found that the boys with autism > > had higher levels of two hormones that directly > > regulate growth (insulin-like growth factors 1 and > > 2). These growth-related hormones stimulate cellular > > growth. The researchers did not measure the boys’ > > levels of human growth hormone, which for technical > > reasons is difficult to evaluate. > > The boys with autism also had higher levels of > > other hormones related to growth, such as > > insulin-like growth factor binding protein and > > growth hormone binding protein. > > In addition to greater head circumference, the > > boys with autism and those with autism spectrum > > disorders weighed more and had a higher body mass > > index (BMI). BMI is a ratio of a person’s weight > > and height. A higher BMI often indicates that a > > person is overweight or obese. The boys’ higher > > BMI may be related to their higher hormone levels, > > said the study’s principal investigator, NICHD’s > > L. Mills, M.D., a senior investigator in the > > Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention > > Research’s Epidemiology Branch. Dr. Mills and his > > coworkers also found that there was no difference in > > height between the two groups of boys. > > The levels of growth-related hormones were > > significantly higher in the boys with autism even > > after the researchers compensated for the fact that > > higher levels of these hormones would be expected in > > children with a greater BMI. > > “The higher growth-related hormone levels are > > not a result of the boys with autism simply being > > heavier,†said Dr. Mills. > > While it has long been noted that many children > > with autism have a larger head circumference than > > other children, few studies have investigated > > whether these children are also taller and heavier, > > Dr. Mills added. > > Researchers analyzed medical records and blood > > samples from 71 boys diagnosed with autism and ASD > > who were patients at Cincinnati Children’s > > Hospital Medical Center from March 2002 to February > > 2004. The researchers compared the information on > > the boys with autism and autism spectrum disorders > > to other boys treated for other conditions at the > > hospital and who do not have autism. Children with > > conditions that may have affected their growth †" > > such as being born severely premature, long-term > > illness, or the genetic condition Fragile X were not > > included in the study. Girls are much less likely to > > develop autism than are boys, and the researchers > > were unable to recruit a sufficient number of girls > > with autism to participate in the study. > > Dr. Mills explained that the bone age of the boys > > with autism †" the bone development assessed by > > taking X-rays and comparing the size and shape of > > the bones to similarly-aged children †" were not > > more advanced in the group of boys with autism. For > > this reason, Dr. Mills and his coworkers ruled out > > the possibility that they were merely maturing more > > rapidly than were the other boys. > > Dr. Mills said that future studies could > > investigate whether the higher levels of growth > > hormones seen in children with autism could be > > directly related to the development of the condition > > itself. > > The NICHD sponsors research on development, before > > and after birth; maternal, child, and family health; > > reproductive biology and population issues; and > > medical rehabilitation. For more information, visit > > the Institute’s Web site at > > http://www.nichd.nih.gov/. > > The National Institutes of Health (NIH) †" The > > Nation's Medical Research Agency †" includes 27 > > Institutes and Centers and is a component of the > > U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is > > the primary federal agency for conducting and > > supporting basic, clinical and translational medical > > research, and it investigates the causes, > > treatments, and cures for both common and rare > > diseases. For more information about NIH and its > > programs, visit www.nih.gov. > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > See what's free at AOL.com. > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Finding fabulous fares is fun. > > Let FareChase search your favorite travel > > sites to find flight and hotel bargains. > > > > _____________________________________________________________________ _______________ > Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. Visit the Auto Green Center. > http://autos./green_center/ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Let me say this from the get go - I am not a researcher, statistician or doctor. But the whole head circumference thing has always made me chuckle. My first born typical son has always had the biggest head of any kid. At 8 he wears my baseball caps. My nontypical kid has a smaller more typical head circumference. Also, my typical son has some weight issues (particularly if I don't force him off the computer games and into the pool). My nontypical, autistic guy has always been underweight. If you put garbage in - you will get garbage out. Just like the guy who had people convinced the rise in autism was caused by the increased viewing of TV. Jeez. No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.14/885 - Release Date: 7/3/2007 10:02 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 After measuring the whole families' heads, a team of neurologists pronounced our son's (then almost three) condition to be " benign macrocephaly " or " inherited big-headedness " because there had been no surge in head growth after birth, which could be seen from ultrasound reports and early ped reports. They either decided that his head size was " benign " because of the lack of surge in growth and because they didn't think he was autistic at the time- or they didn't think he was autistic because of the lack of surge in growth meant, to them, that head size was benign. Who here said it's all in the eye of the beholder and their underlying doctrine? This seemed to have no bearing on his body growth rate, which stalled for a period. Though he was 95 percentile for weight at 6 months, our son seemed to stop growing after the double whammy of a flu shot and MMR at one year. His head remained proportionately large, but I had to struggle to keep him above 25th percentile in weight. Once he went on careful supplementation and GF/CF, he's stable at 40th-50th percentile. A little toddler belly, nice skin, rosy cheeks- still low-ish muscle mass but healthier looking. I suspect that when we start to get rid of the mercury (his UPPA was positive for it), he may grow at a faster pace. I've seen a variety of kids with ASD and it's also my impression that most (the non-altmed kids) were underweight and had small-to- normal heads, except for several ASD kids with dwarfism (what's up with that? Does the gene for dwarfism lend to the development of efflux disorders? Could vaccine toxins cause both ASD and dwarfism?). I saw one pretty sharp but non-verbal ASD girl go from exceptionally lithe, graceful and skinny to overweight after she'd been put on neuroleptics. She also developed full-blown tardive dyskinesia within a few months and severe brain damage, but that's another horrendous issue. It may be all anecdotal, but these things make me question the merits of this study. > > > I think as usual the NIH gets some information that may accutrately > describe a subset of boys with autism but then present it, probably > inaccurately, as applying to all boys with autism. > > I think anyone who has spent any time with kids with autism > recognizes that there are distinct groups within that catch all > categoty " autism. " > > There are those kids like your grandson who are small, underweight > and failing to thrive. And then there are those like my son who are > candidates for the defensive line of the Da Bears. My son wasn't big > when he was born, 7 lbs. 4 oz. But he doubled his birth weight in > two weeks and hasn't stop since. He is seven now, taller than his > nine year old brother, and over 100 lbs. I am six feet tall and 240 > lbs and if he tries to tackle me when I am not expecting him (big > game around our house) he can send me flying. > > He has a big head, but so does his brother, and so do I. I think > Autism Diva or one of those other mysteriously fulltime > neurodiversity bloggers even commented on the regal proportions of > my noggin. In college I was known as Buckethead. So at least for my > son it could just be the genetic hand he was dealt. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 I wonder what Courchesne would make of all these comments related to head size. Wasn't he the researcher who was finding that children diagnosed with autism had bigger head circumferences for the most part? Aasaanacat_11 <anacat_11@...> wrote: After measuring the whole families' heads, a team of neurologists pronounced our son's (then almost three) condition to be "benign macrocephaly" or "inherited big-headedness" because there had been no surge in head growth after birth, which could be seen from ultrasound reports and early ped reports. They either decided that his head size was "benign" because of the lack of surge in growth and because they didn't think he was autistic at the time- or they didn't think he was autistic because of the lack of surge in growth meant, to them, that head size was benign. Who here said it's all in the eye of the beholder and their underlying doctrine? This seemed to have no bearing on his body growth rate, which stalled for a period. Though he was 95 percentile for weight at 6 months, our son seemed to stop growing after the double whammy of a flu shot and MMR at one year. His head remained proportionately large, but I had to struggle to keep him above 25th percentile in weight. Once he went on careful supplementation and GF/CF, he's stable at 40th-50th percentile. A little toddler belly, nice skin, rosy cheeks- still low-ish muscle mass but healthier looking. I suspect that when we start to get rid of the mercury (his UPPA was positive for it), he may grow at a faster pace. I've seen a variety of kids with ASD and it's also my impression that most (the non-altmed kids) were underweight and had small-to-normal heads, except for several ASD kids with dwarfism (what's up with that? Does the gene for dwarfism lend to the development of efflux disorders? Could vaccine toxins cause both ASD and dwarfism?). I saw one pretty sharp but non-verbal ASD girl go from exceptionally lithe, graceful and skinny to overweight after she'd been put on neuroleptics. She also developed full-blown tardive dyskinesia within a few months and severe brain damage, but that's another horrendous issue. It may be all anecdotal, but these things make me question the merits of this study. >> > I think as usual the NIH gets some information that may accutrately > describe a subset of boys with autism but then present it, probably > inaccurately, as applying to all boys with autism.> > I think anyone who has spent any time with kids with autism > recognizes that there are distinct groups within that catch all > categoty "autism." > > There are those kids like your grandson who are small, underweight > and failing to thrive. And then there are those like my son who are > candidates for the defensive line of the Da Bears. My son wasn't big > when he was born, 7 lbs. 4 oz. But he doubled his birth weight in > two weeks and hasn't stop since. He is seven now, taller than his > nine year old brother, and over 100 lbs. I am six feet tall and 240 > lbs and if he tries to tackle me when I am not expecting him (big > game around our house) he can send me flying. > > He has a big head, but so does his brother, and so do I. I think > Autism Diva or one of those other mysteriously fulltime > neurodiversity bloggers even commented on the regal proportions of > my noggin. In college I was known as Buckethead. So at least for my > son it could just be the genetic hand he was dealt.> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Unfortunately, that's what it looks like. One would hope for much better from the NIH. Politics has become an increasing driving force. Re: NIH Press Release -Maybe the ASD kids with the bigger heads and heavier weight havehigher HGH, but so many are malnurished due to leaky gut, and veryunder weight, and have normal sized heads too. Why didn't they do astudy on the kids that have low weight and low muscle tone and normalsized heads?Because they want to try to make this look like a genetic problem, sothe hand picked kids with larger heads and the heavier body mass,trying to get that 'group' that 'looks alike', like some other formsof genetic problems like downs, etc.That is what I think.J-- In EOHarm , keela odenkirk <huntsmom2002@...> wrote:>> Maurine,> I agree with you. My son is small for his age too. Keela> > Maurine Meleck <maurine_meleck@...> wrote:> I don't know about any of you, but my guy certainlydoesn't fit their catagory-he's VERY small for his age and until weused actos he had not gained a pound in 2 and a half years.> I wonder how reliable this NIH study is?> maurine> > hhofher@... wrote:> > > > National Institute of Child Health > and Human Development (NICHD) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE> Friday, June 22, 2007 > > ---------------------------------> CONTACT:> Bock> or nne Glass > 301-496-5133> > Boys with Autism, Related Disorders, Have High Levels of GrowthHormones > Boys with autism and autism spectrum disorder had higher levels ofhormones involved with growth in comparison to boys who do not haveautism, reported researchers from the National Institutes of Health,the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CincinnatiChildren’s Hospital and the University Of Cincinnati College OfMedicine.> The researchers believe that the higher hormone levels mightexplain the greater head circumference seen in many children withautism. Earlier studies had reported that many children with autismhave very rapid head growth in early life, leading to aproportionately larger head circumference than children who do nothave autism.> The researchers found that, in addition to a larger headcircumference, the boys with autism and autism spectrum disorder whotook part in the current study were heavier than boys without theseconditions.> “The study authors have uncovered a promising new lead in thequest to understand autism,†said Duane , M.D., Director ofthe National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the NIHinstitute that funded the study. “Future research will determinewhether the higher hormone levels the researchers observed are relatedto abnormal head growth as well as to other features of autism.â€> Autism is a complex developmental disorder that includes problemswith social interaction and communication. The term autism spectrumdisorder (ASD) refers to individuals who have a less severe form ofautism.> The study was published on line in Clinical Endocrinology.> The researchers compared the height, weight, head circumferenceand levels of growth-related hormones to growth and maturation in 71boys with autism and with ASD to a group of 59 boys who did not havethese conditions.> The investigators found that the boys with autism had higherlevels of two hormones that directly regulate growth (insulin-likegrowth factors 1 and 2). These growth-related hormones stimulatecellular growth. The researchers did not measure the boys’ levels ofhuman growth hormone, which for technical reasons is difficult toevaluate.> The boys with autism also had higher levels of other hormonesrelated to growth, such as insulin-like growth factor binding proteinand growth hormone binding protein.> In addition to greater head circumference, the boys with autismand those with autism spectrum disorders weighed more and had a higherbody mass index (BMI). BMI is a ratio of a person’s weight andheight. A higher BMI often indicates that a person is overweight orobese. The boys’ higher BMI may be related to their higher hormonelevels, said the study’s principal investigator, NICHD’s L.Mills, M.D., a senior investigator in the Division of Epidemiology,Statistics and Prevention Research’s Epidemiology Branch. Dr. Millsand his coworkers also found that there was no difference in heightbetween the two groups of boys.> The levels of growth-related hormones were significantly higher inthe boys with autism even after the researchers compensated for thefact that higher levels of these hormones would be expected inchildren with a greater BMI.> “The higher growth-related hormone levels are not a result ofthe boys with autism simply being heavier,†said Dr. Mills.> While it has long been noted that many children with autism have alarger head circumference than other children, few studies haveinvestigated whether these children are also taller and heavier, Dr.Mills added.> Researchers analyzed medical records and blood samples from 71boys diagnosed with autism and ASD who were patients at CincinnatiChildren’s Hospital Medical Center from March 2002 to February 2004.The researchers compared the information on the boys with autism andautism spectrum disorders to other boys treated for other conditionsat the hospital and who do not have autism. Children with conditionsthat may have affected their growth â€" such as being born severelypremature, long-term illness, or the genetic condition Fragile X werenot included in the study. Girls are much less likely to developautism than are boys, and the researchers were unable to recruit asufficient number of girls with autism to participate in the study.> Dr. Mills explained that the bone age of the boys with autism â€"the bone development assessed by taking X-rays and comparing the sizeand shape of the bones to similarly-aged children â€" were not moreadvanced in the group of boys with autism. For this reason, Dr. Millsand his coworkers ruled out the possibility that they were merelymaturing more rapidly than were the other boys.> Dr. Mills said that future studies could investigate whether thehigher levels of growth hormones seen in children with autism could bedirectly related to the development of the condition itself.> The NICHD sponsors research on development, before and afterbirth; maternal, child, and family health; reproductive biology andpopulation issues; and medical rehabilitation. For more information,visit the Institute’s Web site at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/.> The National Institutes of Health (NIH) â€" The Nation's MedicalResearch Agency â€" includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is acomponent of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It isthe primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic,clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates thecauses, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. Formore information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.> > > ---------------------------------> > > > > > ---------------------------------> See what's free at AOL.com. > > > > > > ---------------------------------> Finding fabulous fares is fun.> Let FareChase search your favorite travel sites to findflight and hotel bargains. > > > > > ---------------------------------> Shape in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today!> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2007 Report Share Posted July 5, 2007 Microcephaly and Minimata- I think I remember that. It's probably true that stressing the " large head " theory could add some smoke in that case. I think it's all possible because I believe that the NIH literally fills research orders from the pharmaceutical conglomerate in some cases: Go undermine this or that theory which leaves us open to litigation, do it ten different ways, drive up the expense of lawsuits against us by throwing on a lot of red herring " peer reviewed " science which must be refuted by their experts. Raise the chances that judges will reject their experts through Daubert ruling on what constitutes " majority views " in science and " minority views " . Make sure it all supports the use of this drug. We'll take some extra ketchup and a double orders of fries with that. > > > > I just can't get it out of my head that there's something fishy > > about this study and their reason for doing it. I keep repeating > > this because I want to keep an eye on the follow-up to this > > research. For one, I've seen reports that enlarged head > > circumference among ASD kids isn't universal, though it's a > favorite > > generalization of the " genes-only " camp. The " genes only " theory > > (naturally including the idea that kids are " born " autistic) is > that > > effected kids are born with small heads and head growth > excellerates > > after birth for " unknown reasons " (like, uh, encephalopathic > > response to vaccine components anyone?). I think they're trying to > > find a reason which would distract from the vaccine-induced theory. > > I just don't trust the NIH. They barely do a thing unless it > > supports the sale of some pharmaceutical company product. I also > > think it's weird that elevated insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and > > elevated insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) may > > possibly be signs of pre-diabetic conditions. I'm not yet clear on > > how they are responsible for actual " growth " - as the study says, > the > > ASD children were not taller, just bulkier in some way (not my > > impression either when I think of the ASD kids I've seen). Someone > > here kindly wrote a marvelous tutorial about the roles these > > substances play in glucose regulation. Elevated IGF and IGFBP can > > apparently be caused by: > > > > -poor diet and lack of excercise (the kids in these studies were > > probably not on a special altmed diet and may have suffered from > > malabsorbtion and/or had limited, carb-heavy diets), which could > > contribute to elevated BMI (and the reverse, which should have > > evened things out). > > - maybe vaccines or other environmental toxins which effect immune > > system/glucose regulation (someone also kindly sent me some > research > > sites supporting this idea). Obesity rates have risen with vaccine > > injuries. > > - most atypical antipsychotics (the use of which has increased up > to > > 100%, just in the period since Risperdal was approved for ASD > > children last December), which also raise BMI as well as IGF and > > IGFBP (on the way to causing drug-induced diabetes). > > > > I don't think the NIH intends for the Ohio study to support vaccine- > > induced autism theories. Any of the above skewing factors could > have > > been present in the study and not reported. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.