Copper and Lead Also Analyzed But No Correlation Found
A recent meta-analysis published in Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics investigated the possible role that concentrations of copper, lead and mercury may play in development of autism. The study analyzed 18 articles in which concentration samples of blood, hair and nails of 1797 patients aged 2 to 16 years were examined. In the end, no significant relationship was discovered between copper and lead concentrations and the development of autism. However, there was a significant relationship between mercury concentration and autism. The association was so strong that the authors determined that mercury can be listed as a pathogenic cause (disease-causing) for autism. The study’s authors urge women to prevent exposures to mercury during pregnancy and to prohibit mercury exposures of their offspring during infancy and childhood.
