Parental and media attention has been given to the notion that mercury or vaccines are contributing to the rise in ADHD and Autism; although there is still debate on this subject. What has not been making the media and not being discussed as widely in social circles is the role of lead and its link to both ADHD and Autism.
Scientific studies and papers have been published supporting this link as well as a link to other illness such as colic, anorexia, slowed growth, sporadic vomiting, and pigmented gum lines. But how prevalent is elevated lead among children in the U.S.? According to a pamphlet published by the EPA, one in 22 children in the U.S. has high levels of lead in their blood.
In 1991, the Center for Disease Control established an actionable level for lead of 10 micrograms per deciliter (10 mcg/dl). However, research conducted since 1991 has strengthened the evidence that children's physical and mental development can be affected at blood lead levels of less than 10 mcg/dl, so in 2012, the threshold was lowered to 5 mcg/dl and some researchers believe the limit is not low enough.
Lead Linked to ADHD
A study published by Environmental Health Perspectives demonstrated that children with blood lead levels between 2 – 5 mcg/dl had a 4.5 fold higher risk for ADHD. This same study indicates that nearly 32.2% or roughly 480,000 children with ADHD were exposed to prenatal environmental toxin exposure or have a blood lead level of greater than 2 mcg/dl – well below the CDC guidelines. The researchers estimate that lead itself is responsible for 21% of ADHD cases in the U.S.
In December of 2007, Michigan State University conducted a study in Lansing compared blood lead levels of children with ADHD to children without ADHD. Their research indicated the children with ADHD has higher blood lead levels than children without ADHD. According to the lead researcher, Dr. Nigg, the neurotoxic effects of lead can impact the different stages of brain growth, such as synapse formation – a development that is critical for appropriate, self-regulatory control. The average blood lead level of children in his study with ADHD was less than 1.3 mcg/dl.
JAMA published a paper in September of 2007 indicating that 9% of children in the U.S. have ADHD and that poorer children are a higher risk. The researchers speculate the reason being that these children have higher risk factors such as premature birth and exposure to toxic substances.
The following table summarizes symptoms associated with lead as well as ADHD
|
Symptoms of Lead Poisoning |
Symptoms of ADHD |
|
Weakness in attention/vigilance |
Inattention / Has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities / Easily distracted |
|
Aggression |
Aggression
|
|
Somatic complaints (physical complaints such as headaches, vomiting, nausea, constipation, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal, back aches, skin disorders) |
Anxiety, Depression, Hyperactivity |
|
Antisocial or delinquent behaviors including lack of interest in play |
Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate / “On the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor” / Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly / Talks excessively |
|
Reduction in auditory threshold and hearing problems |
Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly |
|
Abnormal posture or balance |
Often fidgets with hands and feet or squirms in seat. Also, has trouble staying seated |
|
Poor eye-hand coordination |
Makes careless mistakes |
|
Longer reaction times |
Has trouble organizing activities |
|
Sleep disturbances |
Sleep Disturbances |
|
Slowed growth |
Forgetful and loses things |
|
Higher rates of tooth decay |
Blurts out answers before questions have been finished |
|
Seizures |
Trouble waiting for one’s turn / Interrupts or intrudes on others |
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, CDC, and The World Health Organization
Lead Linked to Autism
The Journal of Applied Research published a paper that reviewed the cases of two children who during periods of severe lead poisoning developed autism or autism symptoms. The researchers noted that several unique elements of these cases differentiated them from traditional cases they had observed and they explored the role of Lead in the development and severity of these children’s symptoms. When the first child was evaluated at age four, he was diagnosed with severe autism. However, at age 6, he no longer met the diagnostic criteria for autism; but was still delayed. The second child was evaluated at seven years old and was found to have the receptive and expressive language of a two and a half-year-old and diagnosed with mild to moderate autism. When the child was thirteen years old, he was again evaluated and no longer met the diagnostic criteria for autism. The researchers state that emergence from lead-induced autism is possible.
A study conducted by the Environmental Health Center in Buffalo New York observed the effects of a multi-dimensional treatment plan involving nutrition, environmental control, chelation, and behavioral/educational/physical/speech therapy to treat ten children with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD) disorder. All patients in this study had high levels of lead in the urine. After 3-6 months in the study, all 10 children showed significant improvement in many areas of social interaction, concentration, writing, language, and behavior. In addition, all 10 children’s urinary lead burden dropped significantly and their autism and ADHD symptoms were improved.
There are a number of other small studies that have also explored the connection between lead poisoning and autism. In the late 1980s, Clinical Pediatrics discussed a possible connection between plumbism and autism. Missouri Medicine reported a case of a 4 ½-year-old boy with autism and ADHD who improved while on chelation therapy and the authors once again raised the possible connection with lead and autism. In November 2002, the American Family physician noted that lead poisoning may be one of the causes of Autism.
The following table summarizes symptoms associated with lead as well as ADHD
|
Symptoms of Lead Poisoning |
Symptoms of Autism |
|
Weakness in attention/vigilance |
short attention span |
|
Aggression |
hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggression, self-injury, and temper tantrums.
|
|
Somatic complaints (physical complaints such as headaches, vomiting, nausea, constipation, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal, back aches, skin disorders) |
Gastrointestinal Symptoms |
|
Antisocial or delinquent behaviors including lack of interest in play |
Lack of interest in sharing enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people. Failure to establish friendships with children the same age. |
|
Reduction in auditory threshold and hearing problems |
Auditory Processing issues or hearing loss. |
|
Abnormal posture or balance |
Abnormal posture, balance, head and eye movement |
|
Poor eye-hand coordination |
Significant problems developing nonverbal communication skills, such as eye-to-eye gazing, facial expressions, and body posture. |
|
Longer reaction times |
Longer reaction times |
|
Sleep disturbances |
Sleep disturbances |
|
Slowed growth |
Slowed growth seen in males |
|
Higher rates of tooth decay |
Tooth decay rates comparable to those of the general population |
|
Seizures |
Seizures |
Sources: CDC, The World Health Organization, Current Gastroenterology Reports, BMC Psychiatry, Associated Content, European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Autism, Vol. 6, No. 2, 197-205 (2002).
Next Steps
It is important to discuss testing your child for lead and formulating a plan with your physician even if your child shows low levels of lead in their blood, urine or x-ray. Nutrition including adequate levels of vitamin C and iron are crucial in keeping the Lead at bay and helping your child heal. Common sources of exposure include peeling paint at home or at schools, water, toys, and dinnerware. Less common sources include food and candies that contain artificial colors.
It is important to discover the root cause of your child's disorder and seek appropriate treatments. At Healing 4 Soul, we use a variety of alternative and complementary medicine to diagnose and treat your child's or your health issues with CEASE therapy, homeopathy, metabolic nutritional programs suited for each individual to address the root cause and not the symptoms. We use the model of prevention over Intervention.
WE ARE HERE TO EDUCATE, NOT MEDICATE
References
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10832230?ordinalpos=9&
http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/9478/9478.pdf
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203204513.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070903204843.htm
http://www.jarcet.com/articles/Vol5Iss1/lidsky.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18166120?
http://autism.healingthresholds.com/research/a-comprehensive-approach-to...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2446813?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8867271?ordinalpos=6&
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12449265?