From Deseret News archives:
Utah autism rate among highest; increases twentyfold in 20 years
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The study, sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, concluded that Utah's autism rate is 20 times higher than it was two decades ago. The results were released Thursday.
Autism is characterized by impaired social, communicative and behavioral development. It varies in severity.
The cause has long been debated, with genetics, environment, even childhood vaccines being blamed by some. The CDC says it's likely there are multiple causes, "due to complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors." For most cases, it adds, the cause is not known although it tends to occur more frequently than expected with certain other medical conditions, including Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, congenital rubella and untreated phenylketonuria (PKU).
Utah had the most striking difference in the rates of autism among males vs. females, at 7 to 1. The researchers aid they found no difference in the three counties examined Davis, Salt Lake and Utah in terms of prevalence.
Zimmerman said Utah's numbers may be slightly higher simply because Utahns are good bookkeepers. "We had great access to records," she said.
Recent comments
Great and informative article! And the national autism rate is now...
Martin - Washington DC | Oct. 9, 2008 at 9:55 p.m.
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Any kind of reference for that claim?


