An End to the Vaccine Controversy? Probably Not........

The latest repudiation of the MMR study from the UK is thorough, and convincing but the facts have been available for years, to those interested in finding them . The investigator's "co-authors" disassociated themselves from the faulty research years ago. Several of the children in the study had symptoms of Autism before the MMR was given. And large amounts of money were given to the author by a legal firm litigating "vaccine injury".

There are more reasons not to buy into vaccines as a cause of autism. There have been studies that clearly show that unvaccinated children have the same rate of Autism as vaccinated youngsters. Also, Mercury has been out of vaccines for more than 5 years and there has been no change in the rate of Autism diagnoses.

The damage done by this irresponsible study has been severe. The incidence of preventable disease such as Measles and Pertussis (whooping cough) has risen causing injury and even deaths, yet parents, even when confronted with the facts, are still "spooked" into doubting their Pediatrician's honest and heartfelt advice. No, the worst isn't over.

Less hospital visits and admissions for children since cold medicine regulation

A dramatic decrease in hospital (ER) visits by infants for drug reactions and overdose has been reported since the recommendation that "cold medicines" NOT be prescribed or given to children less than two.
I am glad the danger of these drugs has once again been demonstrated. But, the next step should be eliminating them for everyone, since they don't work, and add major expense to the health care of the individual families as well as the nation.

Another "Cause" of Autism Is Trotted Out

Now that vaccines, mercury, "cold" parents, and abnormal intestines have been exonerated by careful research, as the cause of Autism, we have a new claim that neonatal jaundice can cause it. Unfortunately, this study resembles the MMR travesty in UK years ago, that we still haven't recovered from. Poorly controlled, no verification of diagnosis, and low sample numbers put this study in doubt.

More importantly, this is counter-intuitive. Almost all newborn babies have some degree of jaundice in the first 48-72 hours of life and variable parameters such as duration of pregnancy and birthweight are known to affect the brain's susceptibility to harm from jaundice. The mere fact that premature infants, who have the highest incidence and highest levels of jaundice due to their physiological immaturity, DO NOT have a higher incidence of Autism is common sense "proof" that this claim is questionable.

Cough Syrup- the new high

On the news last night, there was a report of kids getting high by abusing cough syrup containing "DM" (dextromethorphan). There is a proposal to restrict sales which is being vigorously opposed by drug companies who make millions each year from cold and cough remedies for kids as well as adults.

While it is important to protect kids from the possibility of illicit use of drugs, the bigger point is being ignored. This class of drug should not be prescribed or sold to anyone because they DO NOT WORK. Ask any pediatrician about the constant parental complaint that "he's STILL coughing" or "her nose is STILL stuffed".

These "chemicals" increase the cost of health care, incorrectly teach patients that there is a medication for every problem no matter how minor, and eventually forces the doctor to go to the "next level" of treatment (unnecessary antibiotics) due to parental pressure.

There are no definitive studies that these medications help a cold or cough, they have side effects, and can be abused for recreation leading to perhaps other drugs.

Let's take the next step and stop producing, prescribing and buying these ineffective harmful non-remedies.

Ensure for Kids??

Watching TV last night, I viewed a commercial that pushed giving kids liquid supplements for poor eaters, since "inadequate nutrition could adversely affect a child's growth and development"

Not only is this an exaggeration but it preys on the modern parents' fears that their child will not be perfect or successful if they don't do...............etc., etc.

If a child has malnutrition, he or she is certainly at risk, but malnutrition in this country is almost unheard of except in extreme instances of poverty or neglect. That is not the audience or target of these commercials.

Giving children liquid supplements does not teach them how to eat, make proper choices or change behavior. It is a band-aid for the neurotic or misinformed parent.


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Hello

I will be commenting on childcare issues in the news and offering my opinions on these issues. I will not be giving medical advice!