Ali Yawar Alam.
Autism: new pieces of the puzzle.
Pak Paed J Jan ;27(3):128-31.

Autism is an increasingly common developmental disability that typically appears in childhood, usually during the first three years of life, which curtails the normal development and functioning of the brain in the areas of reasoning, social interaction and communication. According to the latest figures just released by the California Department of Developmental Services, in 2002 California experienced an astounding 31 % one year increase in the number of new children professionally diagnosed with the most severe cases of autism. Since autism is emerging as an epidemic in many parts of the world and it`s possible links with MMR vaccine and Thimerosal(mercury containing preservative in vaccines) it assumes an important area of public health significance needing attention and further research. The current review looks into the recent advances made in autism research worldwide including the areas of genetics, immune system defects, Thimerosal and MMR vaccine , all of which have been blamed in the etiology of autism.

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