Exposure to Thimersol in the Womb Does Not Raise Risk of Autism

Exposure to Thimersol in the Womb Does Not Raise Risk of Autism


According to recent studies, vaccines containing mercury that are given to women in the last months of pregnancy who have a Rh negative blood type has been proven that there is no link between autism and thimersol.

The suggestion that the Rh protein injection containing thimersol that is commonly given to Rh negative women during late months of pregnancy has been linked to causing autism.
The Rh protein shot is given to women who lack protein on the surface of their red blood cells. By pregnant women receiving this shot it prevents Rh disease which can cause stillborns or illnesses in infants. Researchers from the University of Missouri stated, “We hypothesized that if thimerosal were associated with the development of autism, we would find a higher proportion of Rh negative mothers of children with autism born before 2002.”
To test whether or not thimersol caused autism in children, researchers took 214 mothers who had children with an autism disorder and looked to see if the mother was Rh negative and had been given the Rh protein vaccine WebMD late pregnancy.
The status of the mothers with autistic children were found to be no higher than those mothers with a Rh negative status The autistic children were not exposed thimersol-containing Rh vaccine prior to birth.
Although there is valid proof that the thimersol containing vaccine does not cause autism, it won’t change the minds of those that are convinced. Miles tells WebMD, “there is still no credible scientific proof or a link.” In 2004 the Institute of Medicine reviewed the data and came to the same conclusions. Miles concluded by saying, “It is time to move on and focus our research dollars and efforts on avenues that will be more productive.”
Children in the US are not exposed to the Rh vaccine (WebMD) and other vaccines that used to include thimersol. While children in other parts of the world are still being exposed to thimersal it is continuing to be used because it is an inexpensive preservative.
For more information on exposure to thimerosal, please visit WebMD.
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