Minor physical anomalies in children with autism spectrum disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the rate and topological profile of minor physical anomalies (MPAs) (prenatal errors of morphogenesis) in a group of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), in order to better set a temporal framing of embryological factors involved in the neurodevelopmental etiology.


METHODS
A new modified Waldrop scale and a mixed approach of computerized photogrammetry and classic anthroposcopy was used to detect the presence or absence of 41 MPAs in 24 children (mean age: 7 years; sex ratio: 22M:2F) with ASD and 24 healthy comparison subjects (mean age: 7 years; sex ratio: 19M:5F) selected with DSM IV and CARS.


RESULTS
We found that children with ASD presenting MPAs (n=23; 96%) had significantly higher rates of MPAs in four body areas (head, ears, mouth, hands); interestingly three of 41 MPAs best discriminated ASD groups from comparison subjects: abnormal head circumference, abnormal cephalic index, abnormal palate. Moreover, our results suggest that most MPAs occur predominantly after the first trimester of pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support a prenatal neurodevelopmental model of the autism spectrum disorder.
Tripi
Gabriele
G
Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, Aiuto Materno Hospital, University of Palermo, Via Lancia di Brolo 10, Palermo, Italy. gabrieletripi@hotmail.com
Roux
Sylvie
S
Canziani
Tatiana
T
Bonnet Brilhault
Frédérique
F
Barthélémy
Catherine
C
Canziani
Fabio
F
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy