Pre-natal sonagrams since the 1980's and the increase in autism diagnosis.?

Question

Medical experts look for clusters in environmental diseases and bacterial outbreaks in neighborhoods. Has anyone considered the fact that a benign medical test (sonagram) given at a certain gestational period might be the reason for the increase in the diagnosis of autism?

Answer 1

Signs of Autism Showing Earlier in Some Children
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007
Researchers now believe that they can reliably spot “tells” that a child is autistic as early as 14 months in some children but are still stumped by children who regress from normal to autisic behavior.

USATODAY.com: “Children with autism can be identified as early as 14 months old, the youngest age at which the disorder has been diagnosed, a study by researchers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore suggests.

But about half the time, symptoms may not show up until months later. That suggests at least two distinct paths leading to autism: one that starts early in life and one in which a child seems to develop normally and then regresses, losing language and social skills.

Results of the study, the first to follow toddlers from 14 months until they turn 3, could allow earlier treatment to reduce the effects of autism, says Rebecca Landa, lead author of the report published in the Archives of General Psychiatry.”

Autism, In the News | Comments (0)

Assemblyman Wants Investigation of Link Between Sonograms and Autism
Tuesday, November 14th, 2006
A New Jersey assemblyman is asking the state legislature of New Jersey to look into a possible link between sonograms and autism. The Assemblyman cites a recent study that showed sonograms have the ability to move certain brain cells that are commonly associated with the disorder.


Daily Record: “Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio, R-Montville, introduced legislation Monday that would direct the state Department of Health to investigate the possible relationship of sonograms to the increased incidences of autism. Pennacchio’s bill, A-3669 also directs the Commissioner of Health to work in conjunction with various medical groups to begin to develop a protocol for the usage of sonograms on expectant mothers.

The Assemblyman cited various scientific, published studies that show a displacement of brain cells associated with autistic children and the ability of sonograms to displace those cells. Two neuroscientists, Dr. Philip A. DeFina, and Dr. Sandlin Lowe, both of the New York University School of Medicine’s Brain Research Laboratories and the International Brain Research Foundation, have been working closely with the Assemblyman on this issue.

‘The evidence that these doctors have presented to me shows that the unwarranted effects of sonogram use and its possible link to autism certainly warrants further investigation,’ said Pennacchio.”


I found that article. I also believe that early and mixed vaccinations do have a relationship to autism. Most vaccinations contain mercury. The two sons of my son-in-law's sister are found to be autistic. When their blood was tested, there was high mercury level in their blood.

Answer 2

I had ultrasounds done every month because of a high risk pregnancy. My son is autistic but I don't think that it caused it.
An ultrasound will detect abnormalities in the size of organs,limbs, head, etc. It will also help estimate the quantity of amniotic fluid and can reveal if it is leaking. These are the reasons for an ultrasound. It is a diagnostic aid used to detect abnormalities in the developing fetus. It might help in detecting autism because some ASD kids have large heads.
If the fetus is not moving enough, this could be a sign of low muscle tone. A mother of an autistic son told me this is what her son did in utero. When he was born, he had low muscle tone.

Answer 3

I dont think so, sonagrams are nothing more than sound. You talking, watching tv, listening to music are the same thing as a sonagram. I would think that the increase in diagnosis, is due to the increase in awareness.

Answer 4

I never had any type of sonogram while I was pregnant and my son has severe autism.