For parents of autistic children, the Academy will be issuing a policy statement in the May issue of Pediatrics on the diagnosis and treatment of autism. This statement will offer recommendations to pediatricians in providing quality care to families living with autism. As for thimerosal, a mercury containing preservative, the vaccine industry heeded our 1999 request to remove it as soon as possible from those vaccines that contained it. Although there was no evidence of any harm to children, reducing any amount of child exposure to mercury is important. Mercury comes in several forms and can also be found in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat, particularly some fish.
Pediatricians remain dedicated to the health and well being of all children and adolescents.
We understand and share the concerns of parents and we will continue to provide the best advice based on scientific evidence. The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 55,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.