Researchers say mercury levels not generally higher in children with autism.

AFP (10/20, Santini) reports that researchers at University of California-Davis say that “blood levels of mercury are similar in children with autism and in those developing typically.” In the study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, researchers said, “The bottom line is that blood-mercury levels in both populations were essentially the same. However, this analysis did not address a causal role, because we measured mercury after the diagnosis was made.   According to the Los Angeles Times (10/19, Roan) “Booster Shots” blog, the research “is part of a dedicated effort by scientists to identify and study possible causes of autism, both environmental and genetic. The study participants are children between ages 24 months and 60 months who are diagnosed with autism as well as children with other developmental disabilities, and children who are developing normally.”  The Sacramento Bee (10/20, Tong) notes that after looking at the 452 children, the researchers found that “children with autism had lower [blood mercury] levels, but it was because they eat less fish.” After the “researchers took fish consumption into account, the difference disappeared.” HealthDay (10/19, Gardner) and Reuters (10/20, Morgan) also cover the story.

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