Wearing noise-canceling headphones, Michelle, of Yuma, Arizona, was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair at the start of the proceedings before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. She stayed only a short time.

Her parents, Theresa and Michael Cedillo, allege that a preservative called thimerosal that had been used in vaccines weakened their daughter's immune system and prevented her body from clearing the measles virus after she was immunized for the disease at age 15 months.

Today, Michelle suffers from a long list of health problems, including severe autism, inflammatory bowel disease, glaucoma and epilepsy.

The 12-year-old girls parents demand payment under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a no-fault system that has a $US2.5 billion ($A2.9 billion) fund built up from a tax on vaccines of 75 cents a dose.

The battle royal is a test case having wide ramifications.

Since 1999, more than 4,800 families have filed claims with the government alleging their children developed autism as a result of routine vaccinations containing thimerosal.

The court is being asked to decide whether there is a link between autism and childhood vaccines. If it finds one exists, the families could be eligible for compensation under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Fund, a program established by Congress to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines by safeguarding manufacturers from lawsuits. Under the program, people injured by vaccines receive compensation through a special trust fund.

Autism is characterized by impaired social interaction. Those affected often have trouble communicating, and they exhibit unusual or severely limited activities and interests. Classic symptoms of mercury poisoning include anxiety, fatigue and abnormal irritation, as well as cognitive and motor dysfunction.

Monday's case addresses the theory that the cause of autism is the measles, mumps and rubella va
'"/>




Page: 1 2 3
Related medicine news :

1. Parke-Davis (India) runs into rough weather – Court orders attachment of asset
2. Bihar High Court Intervenes To End Doctors Strike
3. High Court Issues Notice To Centre On Smoking Ban In Films
4. Madras High Court Disapproves of Comparative Advertisements
5. Another British Woman In Court For New Breast Cancer Drug
6. Fizzy Logic For A Perfect Drink: Courtesy Boffins
7. Australian Court Finds Man Guilty of Spreading HIV/AIDS
8. Dare Not Mercy kill – Courtesy: The Care Not Killing Grou
9. Court Orders Private Hospitals To Provide Free Treatment For The Poor
10. Courting Couples Use Valentine’s Day Threat to Their Advantag
11. Mental Health Court Established