June 14th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Day 2, June 12, continued.
In the afternoon, Dr. Krigsman continues his direct testimony. He draws a conclusion that the inflammatory issues in the autistic children he has seen were caused by measles RNA in the bowel — RNA that likely came from the MMR vaccine or measles exposure.
In cross, he advises looking at the immune and gastrointestinal (GI) systems of children, but he is careful not to make a blanket diagnosis. GI issues have to be looked at because some children cannot tell parents they feel pain. They’ll do other things, like lean on tables or push their bellies with their hands.
Cross attempts discreditation by bringing up an incident at Lenox Hill Hospital and a fine by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners. Krigsman corrects claims made by the respondent. Of four listings under Dr. Krigsman’s c.v., under Publications, only one is actually published. Cross continues with examining Krigsman’s diagnosis of enterocolitis and its cause, the measles left over from the MMR. A lot of hypothetical questions are asked to see what would change his diagnoses.
The masters questioned Dr. Krigsman about pediatric enterologists who may be closer, but it seems there are only two or three that have GI and autism experience. Master Campbell-Smith wanted to know if the studies were done with children with regressive autism or just all autism, and Dr. Krigsman did not have that data. Most history is taken from parents rather than physicians. Master Vowell asked if Dr. Krigsman does endoscopies on kids without GI symptoms, and the witness said it should never be done. There is now a consensus of pediatric gastroenterologists that feel that having ruled out other causes of GI disease, that autism may be related.
