Author: Herrström P, Högstedt B, Aronson S, Holmén A, Råstam L.
Source: Sci Total Environ.
Year: 1996
Comment:
This study did not indicate disease risk with dental amalgam mercury in children. However, the authors state, "...it should be born in mind that the number of cases was rather small. Consequently, the power of the study to conclude about no relation is probably limited." Additionally, according to B Windham, "It appears that the study neither measured mercury body burden, nor assessed mercury toxicity susceptability factors such as immune reactivity, which have been documented in the medical literature to be factors in such conditions. While the number of fillings is important and positively correlated to chronic health conditions; it is documented in the medical literature that susceptability is a bigger factor for those with amalgam fillings" [ http://www.flcv.com/adaabsr.html ].
Abstract / Excerpt:
“The issue of adverse health effects from dental amalgam and the concurrent low-dose exposure to inorganic mercury have been scrutinized by several Swedish expert groups during the past years. Only rarely have amalgam fillings in children been related to health effects. Experimental studies in genetically disposed animals have shown that low doses of inorganic mercury can induce autoimmune glomerulonephritis. The present case-control study included 31 children with acute glomerulonephritis and 33 with Henoch-Schönlein purpura retrieved from an in-patient register for the period 1973-1992 at the county hospital in Halmstad, Sweden. The median age was 10 and 9 years, respectively, for the two diagnostic groups. Dental clinics reported amalgam burden of the patients during the year before the date of diagnosis. Corresponding data were obtained for three randomly selected controls for each case, drawn from the case records of the same dental clinics, with matching for age and sex. Odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.42 (0.49, 4.11) for Henoch-Schönlein purpura, 0.59 (0.25, 1.38) for acute glomerulonephritis and 0.84 (0.40, 1.75) for both diseases combined. The results of this study did not indicate increased disease risk in relation to amalgam burden.”
Citation:
Herrström P, Högstedt B, Aronson S, Holmén A, Råstam L. Acute glomerulonephritis, Henoch-Schönlein purpura and dental amalgam in Swedish children: a case-control study. Sci Total Environ. 1996; 191(3):277-82.