For the would-be guilty mother of an autistic child, there's a study or (a
doctor) out there that will support just about any suspicion of the cause.
While he couldn't produce the evidence, and didn't blame breastfeeding
directly as the cause, one doctor told me years ago that breastfeeding my 2
year old was making his autism worse.  Induced labor and antenatal maternal
antibiotic use were at one time thought to be possibilities, but most experts
discount these possible causes now.  I'd have to search for the articles,
they're probably about 15 years old by now.

No single etiology has been identified as the cause of autism spectrum
disorder.  Indeed, its etiology is unknown in the vast majority of cases.
(Rapin, Pediatrics 1991)  Autism affects more males than females, occurring
at a 4:1 ratio.  Although the cause seems to be primarily genetic, there are
a number of environmental factors which may play a role in the emergence and
severity of the disorder.  Debate continues, for example, over the
consequences of the administration of the mumps-measles-rubella (MMR)
vaccine.  It has been hypothesized that the vaccine is associated with an
increased risk of ASD, and while some researchers have concluded there is no
link (Fombonne and Chakrabarti, Pediatrics October 2001) others disagree (ARI
Vol 14 no. 4  p. 1); further studies are required.  Others hypothesize that
chemical and viral exposure at a young age, and possibly prenatally, is
associated with an increased risk.  A few cases have been linked to the
fragile X chromosome abnormality, congenital rubella,  tuberous sclerosis,
and structural and metabolic diseases of the brain (Rapin, 1991).

This is probably best discussed off-list, as we're straying from bf, aren't
we?

Barbara Ash, IBCLC
Canberra

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