Why so many autism cases among Somali kids in the U.S.?
March 17th, 2009
From the New York Times:
A surge in autism diagnoses among Somali immigrants in Minneapolis has prompted public health officials to investigate whether the cases are a statistical fluke or an actual outbreak.
However, even if the Minnesota Department of Health epidemiological survey confirms that a cluster exists in that population, it may still not be able to answer why. There are many theories, and all have weaknesses. Among them: living conditions in Somalia or in refugee camps in Kenya, traditional medicines, intermarriage of close family members, genetic predisposition, vitamin D deficiencies due to a lack of sunlight, and vaccines.
Many Somali parents are baffled and frightened; some believe they are cursed.
Earlier post here.
(New York Times photo)

