Did you read the article in the New York Times about Immune Disorders and Autism? I read it and didn’t think much of the article. I considered most of it as information I already knew. Immune system disorders as a cause for autism wasn’t a new thing for me.
So here’s the short of it: At least a subset of autism — perhaps one-third, and very likely more — looks like a type of inflammatory disease. And it begins in the womb.
I’ve always believed that the many illnesses I had during my pregnancy with my son lead to him being autistic. My husband always told me that I shouldn’t think that. When my son was born, he was immediately diagnosed with some kind of infection and transported to another hospital. They were not able to determine what kind of infection he had, but placed him on a ten day course of antibiotics. He remained in the hospital for the full ten days.
As I was reading the article in the New York Times, I started getting bored with it. The first page of the article didn’t cover any new information for me. I didn’t bother going on to the second page. Today, after seeing a couple articles posted online, quoting the NY Times, I went back and read it again. Over on the second page, there is some new information for me. Scary information.
Introducing Parasites As A Treatment for Autism
Dr. Parker has more radical ideas: pre-emptive restoration of “domesticated” parasites in everybody — worms developed solely for the purpose of correcting the wayward, postmodern immune system.
Practically speaking, this seems beyond improbable. And yet, a trial is under way at the Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine testing a medicalized parasite called Trichuris suis in autistic adults.
First used medically to treat inflammatory bowel disease, the whipworm, which is native to pigs, has anecdotally shown benefit in autistic children.
Introducing a parasite into a child or adult to treat autism? That seems crazy. And yet, there is a medical trial going on centered around this. I am horrified. As are many others. Some people think that the NY Times article is dangerous. They think that it will lead parents to have their child given the whipworm, and the child will get sick and die. I worry about that, too, but I would hope that this parasite isn’t something you can just go out and buy.
The fact that it is a scary idea doesn’t change the fact that it might be a viable research avenue. Should we discount a research area because it is scary? Should we hide under our beds, or disparage the doctors that are doing the research? No. As far as I am concerned, everything and anything they can think of to treat autism should be researched. Does that mean that I want to infect my child with a parasite? No. I don’t. At least, not unless they have solid medical research and proven medical results that show it would work. What do you think?
Interesting, and it makes perfect sense, though!
HilLesha recently posted..60% off Everything and Free Shipping at BabyLegs
I don’t think it makes sense at all — and, like you, I’m a little shocked by it. It reminds me of the medical practices of yore — where leaches were put on people to draw blood.
There has got to be another way.
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes recently posted..Meal Maker Challenge GIVEAWAY – 3 Winners!
Great information – I’ve not heard these theories before.
Connie Seattle Mom Blogger recently posted..Review: Barilla Microwaveable Meals – 5 Quick and Easy Varieties #GIVEAWAY
There are always new theories on what causes different issues in children. I wish we could really know for sure what causes things so that we could create cures!
Jenn @therebelchick recently posted..Cost Plus World Market Gourmet Getaway Sweepstakes
.Standard medicine doesn’t fully understand what causes auto-immune disease or how to treat it. Patients with auto-immune disease are often given steroids to treat inflammation, but the root cause in never addressed.
Born27 recently posted..Conference call on google voice
Hmm, that’s a very scary idea.
Billie recently posted..Baby Year Event Huge Prize Package – Giveaway Ends 9/20
I’ve never heard this theory before, but that whole introducing a parasite into your child is just outrageous. Working in Special Ed I’ve seen parents try the gluten-free diet, the skunk oil on the feet, etc. But I guess if there’s a chance it might work, then to them it’s worth it?
Leilani recently posted..A Day at Lemos Farm
Never heard of this theory before. I am already nervous about vaccinating my daughter..
Courtney recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Sweet Baby Smiling
I would be terrified to allow something like that to be tested on my child, but I’m sure they’ll find people to do it.
Sheri recently posted..Win a School Pkg from Oliver’s Labels
I have never heard of this theory before. I do think it is important to do as much research as possible.
Lolo recently posted..Fitcation 2012- A Fitness Vacation for Moms
As scary and disgusting as it sounds I’ve heard that worms were used in ancient times to correct many things although I’m not sure how effective they are. I like that they are researching but at what cost is it to others and if it worked how may would likely be in line to try it
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This is very interesting, but I agree with you- there are some desperate parents out there looking for any way to make their kid better and might resort to some crazy treatment that might be more detrimental in the long run. I have to say- as a teacher, I find your articles to be very informative and helpful in dealing with students and parents that are autistic. Thank you for sharing all this info!
A Time Out for Mommy- Elaina recently posted..On the go eating with Barilla Microwaveable Meals
This reminds me a little too much of the use of leeches back in the day, KWIM?
Jenn recently posted..Cake Pop #Fail
I read about this study the other day. Happy to hear your opinion.
MomStart (Ashley) recently posted..LYFE Kitchen Frozen Meals
Interesting stuff, would be nervous about doing this to my kids right now though.
megan recently posted..Self-funded vs Fully insured Autism Coverage
An auto-immune disease is a condition where the body’s immune system becomes confused and attacks itself. Some doctors consider autism an auto-immune disease. LDN has been used to successfully reduce symptoms in children with autism.Standard medicine doesn’t fully understand what causes auto-immune disease or how to treat it. Patients with auto-immune disease are often given steroids to treat inflammation, but the root cause in never addressed. Low dose naltrexone or LDN has proved to be a safe and effective method of treating the underlying immune problems involved in auto- immune diseases.
Jessica recently posted..Dry Mouth Problems
I’m not too fond of the idea of injecting parasites either. That just seems way to far-fetched for me.
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy recently posted..Garnier Fructis Sleek Finish 5-in-1 Serum Spray with Argan Oil + Giveaway
I don’t think I would ever try injecting parasites as a treatment option, but then again, I am not in the predicament to make that decision.
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This is something out of the Dark Ages. Haven’t we progressed beyond leaches and blood-letting?
Zipporah Sandler recently posted..I love my son and I love my dog but…
That is the strangest treatment that I’ve heard of. I know of people who have healed their autistic children through diet but that is too much.
Kelly recently posted..PWL: A Change in Fitness Plans
Where do they come up with these things??
I would not be okay with doing that to my child at all. I don’t even do flu vaccines b/c it’s injecting a string of it into them
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new theories are coming out all the time. I dont vaccinate my girls period.
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[...] chemotherapy kill off not only cancerous cells but those that would normally fight off infection. Immune Deficiency – 7 Common Causes of Immunodeficiency Immune deficiency is the body's inability to…ld or infection for a healthy person becomes life threatening for a person who is [...]
Not completely unusual as many with autistic spectrum kids will say when our kids are sick the behaviors get better. If our immune system is busy fighting an infection than it is not bothering self. This is NOT new treatment. There are many things that have been done that seem creepy, but are very good methods with good reason why they are effective. Worms are used to remove dead flesh for many with diseases to assist with cleaning the wound, as with leaches as someone posted earlier. I, myself, have an autistic child who had worms and when we treated for them his symptoms got measurably worse. Keep an open mind until the jury is out and do not keep from treating your chinld for something that is proven to be effective. I believe the immune system is to blame as many of those with he diagnosis are left brain hyperactive (which regulates the immune system). Makes sense why our kids have so many food intolerances doesn’t it?
How about children with PANDAS?. Can this treatment help our children?…any info anyone?…
It may sound crazy, but when you think about symbiotes, it makes sense. There are actually several papers that indicate these so-called “parasitic” worms actually help regulate the immune system. Most recently, a few people have traveled outside the US to have severe gastrointestinal ailments treated with whipworms after conventional treatments failed. Living Without magazine published an article on it because one patient was a young child with multiple severe food allergies and eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) that resulted in extreme malnourishment despite prescribed nutrition supplementation, etc. The mother had herself treated as well so that she might know what symptoms he was experiencing. It took two treatments but most (possibly all) of the food allergies disappeared, as did the EE. He gained weight, became more active & more social, and improved academically as well. After much research, I am considering this treatment for my own child if his multiple food allergies do not improve or become worse. Admittedly, I have a BS in microbiology. These worms are not unfamiliar or gross, but fascinating, and even more so now that it appears they are a necessary part of the gastrointestinal system (at least in those with severe gastrointestinal ailments like colitis, IBS, EE, etc.)
We view these worms solely as parasites but they may actually be more like the E. coli in our gut; symbiotic life forms that can be pathogenic under abnormal conditions. We thought we only needed bacteria as probiotics but now it appears that certain worms may need to be added to that list. Likewise, there are symbiotic strains of yeast in our gut and (as most women know), they can become pathogenic if they overgrow & “flood” the body. At least some “pathogenic” worms may belong to the “opportunistic” category like yeast, rather than true “straight” pathogens like certain disease causing bacteria & viruses.
Here’s one article –
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=helminthic-therapy-mucus
You should also know that there are antibiotics to kill the helminth worms if necessary.
Adriana,
Here’s a blog where the mom says the worms helped her son get rid of PANDAS…
http://turnotheworm.blogspot.com/
Just fyi…