A prospective study of thimerosal-containing Rho(D)-immune globulin administration as a risk factor for autistic disorders.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluated the relationship between prenatal mercury exposure from thimerosal (49.55% mercury by weight)-containing Rho(D)-immune globulins (TCRs) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).


METHODS
The Institutional Review Board of the Institute for Chronic Illnesses approved the present study. A total of 53 consecutive non-Jewish Caucasian patients with ASDs (Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth ed. - DSM IV) born between 1987 and 2001 who presented to the Genetic Centers of America for outpatient genetic/developmental evaluations were prospectively collected from June 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006. Imaging and laboratory testing were conducted on each patient to rule out other causal factors for their ASDs. As race-matched controls, the frequency of Rh negativity was determined from 926 non-Jewish Caucasian pregnant women who had presented for outpatient prenatal genetics care to the Genetic Centers of America between 1980 and 1989.


RESULTS
Children with ASDs (28.30%) were significantly more likely (odds ratio 2.35, 95% confidence interval 1.17-4.52, p < 0.01) to have Rh-negative mothers than controls (14.36%). Each ASD patient's mother was determined to have been administered a TCR during her pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
The results provide insights into the potential role prenatal mercury exposure may play in some children with ASDs.
Geier
David A
DA
The Institute of Chronic Illnesses, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
Geier
Mark R
MR
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System / Q000097:blood; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013849:Thimerosal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; D018029:Rho(D) Immune Globulin; D013849:Thimerosal