The prevalence of autism is now one child in every one hundred ten. What is interesting is that the researchers are touching upon environmental causes of autism and other childhood diseases. Of course, vaccines are considered part of the environmental milieu. They just seem to never hit the issue head on and ask if we are making our children sick. Meanwhile, it is incumbent upon us all to do what we can to prevent autism and other illnesses in our children. I am a strong advocate of vitamin D, as are many physicians and researchers.
From a study released online Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Assn., ahead of print publication Wednesday we learn the following:
Researchers analyzed the prevalence of illnesses by surveying the mothers of approximately 5,000 children. Data from three time periods were analyzed: 1988 to 1994, 1994 to 2000, and 2000 to 2006. In each time frame, the children, ages 2 through 8 at the start of each period, were followed for six years.
The rate of chronic conditions increased from 12.8% in 1994 to 26.6% in 2006. Latino and black youths and males were more likely to have health problems.
"We have a whole different set of conditions we're looking at today and a broader set of definitions for illnesses," said Halfon, who wrote an editorial accompanying the study. "We're seeing bigger increases in obesity, attention deficit disorder and other mental and behavioral conditions. Part of that has to do with the kinds of environments in which children are growing up."
Again, I say, take your vitamin D, give it to your kids. There is more information on other blog posts listed below.
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